Rail fares rise from Dec 26, passengers brace for impact
Passengers will notice updated fare charts at stations from December 26, reflecting revised ticket prices and reminding travelers to check costs before planning their journeys
The Railway Ministry has once again turned the spotlight on passenger fares, officially notifying a hike in train ticket prices that will come into effect from December 26, 2025. The decision, announced on Thursday, marks the second fare revision within a year and is already prompting mixed reactions from regular commuters and long-distance travelers alike.
Under the revised structure, fares for ordinary class journeys beyond 215 km will increase by 1 paise per kilometre. For non-AC classes of mail and express trains, as well as AC classes across all trains, the hike is steeper at 2 paise per kilometre. While the amounts may appear modest on paper, they add up noticeably over long distances, especially for families and frequent travelers.
The Ministry had first signaled its intent on December 21, giving passengers a brief window to prepare for the change. This follows an earlier fare hike implemented in July, making this the second revision in 2025. Together, the two increases reflect the Railways’ broader effort to rebalance its finances amid rising operational costs.
In justifying the move, the Railway Ministry emphasized that the rationalisation of fares is aimed at “balancing affordability for passengers and sustainability of operations.” Officials argue that with increasing expenses related to fuel, maintenance, safety upgrades, and infrastructure expansion, a limited fare adjustment has become unavoidable.
At the same time, the Ministry has stressed that it has tried to shield daily commuters and short-distance travelers from the impact. This assurance is significant for millions who rely on local and suburban trains for work and education.
For ordinary non-AC, non-suburban services, the fare hike has been applied in a graded manner. In second class ordinary, there is no increase at all for journeys up to 215 km, a move designed to protect short-distance passengers. For trips between 216 km and 750 km, fares will rise by a flat ₹5. Longer journeys will see incremental increases — ₹10 for distances between 751 km and 1250 km, ₹15 for 1251 km to 1750 km, and ₹20 for 1751 km to 2250 km.
According to the Ministry, this step-by-step approach ensures that passengers are not burdened with sudden or sharp increases. Instead, the impact is spread proportionately, with longer journeys bearing slightly higher costs.
For sleeper class ordinary and first class ordinary travel on non-suburban routes, fares have been revised uniformly at the rate of 1 paise per kilometre. Officials described this as a “gradual and limited” increase, intended to keep ticket prices within reach while still contributing to revenue needs.
Among passengers, reactions have been cautious. Some travelers acknowledge that maintaining and upgrading the vast railway network requires funding and that marginal hikes may be inevitable. Others, however, worry that repeated fare revisions within a single year could slowly erode affordability, particularly for those who depend on long-distance trains for family visits, work, or medical travel.
Railway staff at stations have been instructed to update fare lists to reflect the new prices from December 26, ensuring transparency for passengers. Travelers are being advised to check revised fares before booking tickets, especially for journeys planned around the end-of-year holiday period.
As India’s railways continue to modernize, expand capacity, and invest in safety, fare policy remains a sensitive issue. The latest hike underscores the delicate balance the Ministry is trying to strike — keeping trains affordable for the masses while ensuring the financial health of one of the world’s largest railway networks. Whether passengers feel that balance has been achieved will become clearer as the new fares take effect.