Fares of Howrah-NJP Vande Bharat may be reduced, railways muling the idea

Is the Indian Railways planning to reduce the fare of the Vande Bharat Express? This question is stirring speculation across the country, especially among those who have long admired the speed and comfort of this premium train but hesitated due to its steep ticket prices.

Currently, the fare of the Vande Bharat Express, such as the route from Howrah to Jalpaiguri, can be quite high. Chair car tickets cost around ₹1,500, while the premium economy class can touch ₹3,000. In contrast, a sleeper class ticket on a regular train covering a similar route to Darjeeling costs just ₹360. This stark difference has been a major deterrent for many, especially the middle- and lower-income groups.

Sources now suggest that the Railway Ministry is re-evaluating the fare structure of Vande Bharat Express. The idea is to make the train more accessible to a broader section of society without compromising too much on the quality of services provided. With Vande Bharat designed to connect major cities within 800 kilometers in a fast and efficient manner, the fare adjustment could make it a game-changer for intra-state and short inter-state travel.

Since its introduction, Vande Bharat has maintained a steady flow of passengers willing to pay the high fare for the sake of comfort and speed. However, the growing feedback about the price gap between this and other trains appears to have prompted the government to rethink its strategy. The objective is clear—enhance affordability without hurting the prestige of this premium service.

Insiders mention that the Railways is exploring all possible ways to bring down costs, including modifying onboard services, optimizing operational expenditures, and revisiting seat class structures. However, no official announcement has been made yet by the Ministry or Indian Railways regarding when and how much the fare might be reduced.