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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1772
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2026
HIGH FARES OF VANDE BHARAT TRAINS
†1772. SHRI UJJWAL RAMAN SINGH:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that due to high fares of Vande Bharat trains middle
and low-income passengers find it difficult to travel by these trains;
(b) if so, the details of the steps taken by the Government to address this
concern; and
(c) whether the fare-fixing policy aligns with the World Bank
recommendations on inclusive and affordable public transport system
and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c): Indian Railways (IR) caters to various segments of the travelling
public and, accordingly, operates different types of train services like
Suburban/Non-suburban ordinary train services, Mail/Express, Amrit Bharat,
Vande Bharat, Vande Bharat Sleeper, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, Tejas,
Humsafar, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto and Garib Rath services etc.
Ministry of Railways while deciding the fare structure of various types of
passenger services gives due consideration to aspects like the cost of
service, value of service, type of services/facilities offered, affordability,
competition from other competing modes and socio-economic
considerations etc.
Vande Bharat services since its introduction in February 2019, have been
proliferated to 82 routes (164 train services) up to July 2026.
§ Page 1 of 3Vande Bharat trains operate as a distinct passenger service segment
having specific fare structure with features like improved suspension
systems, faster acceleration with semi-high speed operation, automatic
plug doors, ergonomics seats, mini pantry, CCTV’s, KAVACH etc.
The fares of Indian Railways are among the lowest in comparison to other
countries in the world.
A comparison of the Indian Railway passenger fares (ordinary class) with
the fares of the similar segment of services of the neighbouring countries
is as under:
Country Approx lowest fare per Comparison with India
PKM
India ~ ₹ 0.20
Pakistan ~ ₹ 0.54 ~ 2.5x higher
Bangladesh ~ ₹ 0.37 ~ 2x higher
Sri Lanka ~ ₹ 0.51 ~ 2.5x higher
Keeping in view the affordability, the fare structure of Vande Bharat train
services for AC chair car over a journey between 300 km to 400 km is around
₹2.19 per PKM which is much lower than the fares of similar segment of
services in countries like China, Japan and France, where it ranges from
₹7.00 to ₹20.00 per PKM.
The rationalised fare structure has facilitated the wider expansion of
these services across the country reflecting strong passenger demand for
these services. Vande Bharat services have high occupancy level on all
major routes with occupancy of Vande Bharat near 100% demonstrating a
change in passenger preferences.
Indian Railways provides affordable transportation service to about 740
crore passengers annually. The fare structure of Indian Railways besides
Page 2 of 3considering the socio-economic factors also largely aligns with the relevant
best practices adopted by different railway systems of the world.
The total amount of subsidy given in FY 2024-25 on passenger tickets is
provisionally estimated at ₹60,239 Crore, this amounts to a 43% subsidy on
the cost of passenger travel. In other words, if the cost of providing services
is ₹100 then the price of ticket is ₹57 only. There is no concession in fare in
Vande Bharat trains, however four seats as reserved quota are earmarked
for persons with disabilities (Divyangjans) in chair car of each train service.
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