Centre hikes railway passenger and freight fares

 The freight rates have been hiked by 6.5 percent.

New fares will be effective from June 25.

This is the first steep hike in Railway fares in many years.

In its revised rates, the  Ministry of Railways state that there is withdrawal of short lead concession in charging of freight for all traffic booked upto 100 kms. Minimum distance for charge has been increased from existing 100 kms to 125 kms.

The number of Low Rated Classes have been reduced from 4 to 3. Certain concessions in case of some of these commodities has also been withdrawn, the Ministry said.

In case of passenger fares, the Ministry has hiked a flat 10 percent in all classes.

There will be no increase upto minimum distance for charge.

In addition there will be an increase of 4.2 percent in fares on account of FAC which is due from April 2014.

"Second Class Monthly Season Ticket (MST) fares of Suburban and Non-suburban shall be charged on the basis of 30 single journeys instead of approximately 15 single journeys.  Fares of First Class Monthly Season Tickets will be charged @ 4 times the Second Class Monthly Season Tickets (MST) Fares as is done presently.  Revised fare shall also be applicable as per the existing method of computation on Quarterly Season Tickets (QST), Half Yearly Season Tickets (HST) and Yearly Season Tickets (YST), etc.  these revisions have been shown in the Season Ticket Fare Tables," the Ministry said.

There has been no change in charges for reservation fee, superfast surcharge.  Such charges, wherever applicable, will continue to be levied additionally as per existing instructions.

Service tax will also continue to be levied as applicable as per instructions issued in this regard.

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