Train fare to increase by 15% from tomorrow

COLOMBO (News 1st): Train fares will see a 15% rise with effect from tomorrow (October 1). However, the Railways Department has said that the minimum fare will not change. Thereby, the minimum fare of a 3rd class ticket will remain at Rs. 10, while the 2nd class fare will remain at Rs. 20. The fare of a 1st class ticket will also remain at Rs. 40. However, the minimum fare which was applicable for a 9-kilometre journey has been revised to 07 kilometres. This is the 1st time train fare prices have been amended since 2008. Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando said the seat reservation fees will be increased by 20% from the 1st of November in line with the ticket fare revision. Station Masters will be given the opportunity to print the new price on the tickets which has the old price printed on them. This measure will be adopted until the new batch of tickets is issued. "The issuing of unique codes for the old tickets will be stopped from midnight and they will be handed over for auditing purposes," said Dilantha Fernando, Railways General Manager.