Indian Railways has announced a significant reduction in passenger train ticket prices, reverting them to pre-COVID levels. Effective February 27, the railways reinstated Second Class Ordinary Fares on ‘Passenger Trains,’ now designated as ‘Express Specials’ or ‘MEMU/DEMU Express’ Trains.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Indian Railways had discontinued Passenger Trains and increased the minimum ticket price from Rs 10 to Rs 30, aligning it with Express Train fares. This move was aimed at discouraging overcrowding in Passenger Trains during the times of COVID-19. However, in response to mounting pressure and multiple reports highlighting passenger grievances, Railway authorities have now rolled back these changes, bringing relief to commuters, the Times of India reported.
The fare reduction applies to Ordinary Class fares on all Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains and those designated with numbers starting with ‘Zero’. Additionally, revisions have been made to the fare structure in the Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) App, the report further stated.
Shivnath Biyani, a member of the Central Railway Passenger Advisory Committee, lauded the decision in an interview with TOI and noted that ticket prices for several destinations have been halved. This reduction, effective immediately, comes after persistent demands from representatives and passenger associations for fare alleviation.