Announcing the first hike in passenger fares in 10 years, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi in his first Rail Budget speech said that fares will go up nominally.
Fare hike
2 paise per km in ordinary second class and suburban services
3 paise in mail/express second class
5 paise per km in sleeper class
10 paise per km in AC 3-tier, AC chair car, and non-AC First Class
15 paise per km in AC two-tier; and 30 paise per km in AC first class
Concessions:
50% concession to patients suffering from sickle cell anemia
All arjuna awardees to get free travel in Rajdhani and Shatabdi express
Izzat scheme – Rs 25 rail pass – travel distance increased from 100 km to 150 km
Platform tickets to cost Rs 5
SMS and e-ticket
SMS on passenger mobile phone in case of e-ticket to be accepted as proof of valid reservation.
Introduction of satellite based real time train information system (SIMRAN) to provide train running information to passengers through SMS, internet, etc.