In a major announcement, the Indian Railways has presented a substantial gift to its passengers. As per the latest information, travelers can now enjoy a significant reduction in fares, making journeys more accessible for the general public. Reportedly, passengers can now travel up to 50 kilometers for a mere 10 rupees. This move comes as a relief, especially since, post the COVID era, railway fares had witnessed an increase, raising general ticket costs from 10 to 30 rupees for a 50-kilometer journey.
Changes in IRCTC Software
Alongside the fare reduction, the Railway Board has issued orders to modify the Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) and UTS App software. This change is aimed at benefiting daily commuters, particularly those in the labor class who were previously paying three times the fare for their daily rail travels. With this decision, daily travelers will now only have to pay 10 rupees for journeys up to 50 kilometers.
Flexible Pricing Structure
During the announcement, a railway official clarified that for distances between 50 to 65 kilometers, an additional charge of 5 rupees would be applicable. This means that passengers can now cover distances up to 90 kilometers for a cost of just 30 rupees.
Transformation of Local Trains into Express
During the pandemic, local trains were transformed into express trains, and regular train services were halted. Consequently, this led to a fare hike, with the minimum fare for express trains set at 30 rupees. However, owing to the recent decision, these changes have been rolled back, bringing relief to commuters. The fare for express trains is now restored to a minimum of 10 rupees.
The reduction in railway fares is a commendable move by the Indian Railways, making daily commuting more economical and convenient for passengers across various cities, be it Jaipur or Bhopal. This decision aligns with the broader goal of providing affordable and efficient transportation to the masses.