In a welcome move for millions of travelers, Indian Railways has announced a reduction in ticket prices on 10 major long-distance trains. The revised fares are set to come into effect from mid-April 2026, offering timely relief ahead of the busy summer travel season.

The decision is expected to particularly benefit middle-class families and frequent passengers who rely heavily on rail travel for intercity journeys.

Why Have Train Fares Been Reduced?

According to railway officials, the fare cut comes after repeated passenger feedback regarding certain trains being labeled “superfast” despite operating at speeds comparable to regular express services.

After reviewing operational data, the Railways decided to remove the superfast status from select trains. This automatically eliminates the superfast surcharge, which was previously added to ticket prices.

Important point:

• The base fare remains unchanged.
• The overall ticket price drops because the superfast surcharge has been withdrawn.

This rationalisation aims to make pricing more transparent and aligned with actual service levels.

How Much Money Will Passengers Save?

While the reduction may appear modest per ticket, the cumulative benefit can be significant for regular travelers and families.

Estimated savings:

• Sleeper Class: Around ₹30 less per ticket
• AC Classes (3-Tier & 2-Tier): About ₹45 less per ticket

For passengers booking multiple tickets or travelling frequently, the savings will add up meaningfully over time.

Major Trains Covered Under the Fare Cut

The Railways has identified trains with relatively lower average speeds and multiple stoppages for this change. Some prominent services affected include:

• Vibhuti Express – Running between Prayagraj and Howrah
• Netaji Express – Operating on the Howrah–Kalka route
• Upasana Express – Connecting Howrah and Dehradun
• Kumbh Express – Another key service on the same corridor
• Himgiri Express – Serving the Howrah–Jammu Tawi route

Passengers travelling on these routes will directly benefit from the revised pricing.

Train Numbers and Schedule Changes

Along with fare rationalisation, the Railways will also renumber the affected trains to reflect their updated status.

Key update:

• Changes will be implemented in phases between April 13 and April 16, 2026.
• Train numbers currently starting with the “12” series (for example, 12333) will shift to the “13” series (for example, 13047).

Passengers are advised to carefully check updated train numbers while booking tickets to avoid confusion.

Relief for Budget-Conscious Travellers

The timing of this decision is significant. With Holi travel winding down and summer vacations approaching, demand for long-distance rail tickets typically surges.

By removing the extra surcharge, Indian Railways has:

• Made pricing more logical
• Reduced the cost burden on passengers
• Responded to long-standing public feedback
• Improved affordability for family travel

Even small fare reductions can make a meaningful difference for households planning long journeys.

What Passengers Should Do

If you are planning travel on these routes in the coming months:

• Check updated train numbers before booking
• Compare revised fares on the official booking platform
• Book early for peak summer travel

Indian Railways’ decision to cut fares on select long-distance trains reflects a passenger-centric approach and better fare rationalisation. While the per-ticket savings may seem modest, the move is expected to ease travel costs for lakhs of passengers across the country.

With summer travel demand set to rise, this step could make rail journeys slightly lighter on the pocket — and a lot more welcome for budget travellers.