CHENNAI: The Indian Railways on Sunday announced the decision to increase the train fare from December 26 to earn Rs 600 crore revenue. Passengers and rail activists in Chennai say the increase was nominal and that Railways should focus on proper maintenance and better amenities in the trains.

With the revision in pricing, passengers will pay 1 paisa/km for ordinary class more than 215 km, for mail/express non-AC/AC, the revised price is 2 paisa/km.

For instance, a 500-km journey in non-AC coaches, passengers will have to pay Rs 10 extra. There is no increase in suburban and monthly season ticket fares. And no increase up to 215 km in ordinary class.

“The increase in price is very nominal; so it wouldn’t adversely impact passengers. However, when price is increased, Railways must ensure proper maintenance of facilities in trains like toilet and drinking water, and also disinfect the trains,” opined Dayanand Krishnan, a transportation activist.

Concurring with him was Naveen Chander, a rail enthusiast, who pointed out: “The increase is reasonable to manage the rising operating costs, salaries and pension along with the need to fund the essential infrastructure projects without relying on centre’s assistance.”

The need to improve basic amenities like platforms, public announcement system, lighting, and seaters for passengers could not be emphasised enough. “For instance, in the Chennai division, suburban stations have not implemented proper housekeeping,” said K Baskar, former member of Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC).