TNI Bureau: Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has announced a fare hike in rail fares with effect from January 21, 2013. This is the first time in 10 years, the Railways have gone for a fare hike.

The sleeper class fares were increased by up to 6 paise per km. The second class fares will go up by 3 paise per km. Fares for second class mail and express trains will go up by 4 paise per km.

AC First Class fares were hiked by 3 paise per km in addition to 10 paise hike effected earlier. AC Chair Car fares went up by up to 10 paise per km. The AC 2nd tier fares were hiked by 6 paise per km in addition to the 15 paise per km increase done earlier. The AC First Class Executive fares were increased by 10 paise per km in addition to the 30 paise per km increase done earlier.

According to the Railway Minister, the fare hike was necessitated because of safety and cleanliness measures and the 6th Pay Commission implementations. He further clarified that there would not be any more hike in the 2013 Railway Budget. The Railways hopes to raise Rs 12,000 crore through this fare hike.