Train travel to get costlier in 2020, no change in suburban rates

The Centre on Tuesday (December 31) ordered a hike in the railway fare across its network, excluding suburban trains. The new tariffs will be effective from January 1, 2020.

“Ministry of Railways has decided to revise the basic passenger fare… effective from 1 January 2020,” said an order issued on Tuesday.

According to the order, starting New Year, journey in AC coaches will cost passengers an additional 4 paise per kilometre, while 1 paisa more per kilometre will be charged for ordinary coaches and 2 paise for Express Non-AC trains. The revision is fares excluded suburban trains.

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No change in reservation fee, superfast surcharge, etc have been announced. Also, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be applicable as per instruction.

Earlier in the day, the Railways had renamed its security force Railway Protection Force (RPF) as Indian Railway Protection Force Service. The ministry has accorded organised Group A status to RPF and renamed it, according to an order issued on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

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