RailEnquiry

Travelling in trains is set to become costlier from next week as the hike in reservation fee and superfast charges announced in the Rail Budget come into effect from April 1.

Though Railways have not increased basic passenger fare, it has proposed to increase the reservation fee, superfast and Tatkal charges.

Cancellation and clerkage charges will also be hiked from the said date.

While reservation fee for second and sleeper class has not been revised, AC classes will be dearer by Rs 15 to Rs 25 per ticket.

Superfast charges have been increased by Rs 10 for sleeper and second class fare. For AC classes, the hike is between Rs 15 and Rs 25.

Tatkal fee has been increased by 10 per cent of the basic fare for second class and 30 per cent for all other AC classes. While cancellation charges have been increased by Rs 10 to Rs 50 per ticket for confirmed tickets, clerkage charge for cancellation of waiting list and RAC tickets will be dearer by Rs 5 for sleeper class and Rs 10 for AC class.

Cancellation and clerkage charges have been hiked to deter touts from booking bulk tickets in advance, a senior Railway Ministry official said.