Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that fares for the Vande Bharat chair car service are substantially lower on a per kilometre basis when compared with similar train services in countries such as China Japan and France. The minister shared the details in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, underlining the affordability of India’s semi high speed rail offerings.
According to the minister, the fare for Vande Bharat chair car services for journeys of approximately 300 to 400 kilometres works out to around Rs 2.19 per kilometre. He noted that this rate is considerably lower than the ticket prices charged for comparable high speed rail services operating in China, Japan and France. While international fares vary depending on distance, class and booking patterns, the minister emphasised that India’s pricing remains competitive and accessible for a broad section of passengers.
The Vande Bharat trains were first introduced in 2019 as part of efforts to modernise passenger services under Indian Railways. These trains are fully air conditioned chair car services designed to provide faster travel times, improved onboard amenities and enhanced passenger comfort. Since their launch, the network of Vande Bharat services has expanded across multiple routes connecting major cities.
Officials have stated that the objective behind introducing Vande Bharat trains is to combine speed, efficiency and affordability. By maintaining relatively moderate fare structures, the government aims to ensure that modern rail travel remains within reach of middle income passengers.
In many countries, high speed rail services often involve significantly higher ticket costs due to infrastructure investments, maintenance expenses and operational models. By comparison, Indian Railways operates on a different cost structure, with extensive public investment and a focus on mass transportation.
The minister’s remarks come amid continued expansion of semi high speed rail services in India. Several new Vande Bharat routes have been launched over the past few years, and additional corridors are under development. The trains are equipped with modern features such as automatic doors, onboard information systems and improved safety mechanisms.
Transport analysts note that while direct fare comparisons between countries can be complex due to currency differences, purchasing power and service standards, the per kilometre figure shared by the minister provides a broad perspective on affordability.
Indian Railways remains one of the largest rail networks in the world, serving millions of passengers daily. The introduction and scaling up of Vande Bharat services represent a significant shift towards upgraded infrastructure and enhanced travel experience without substantially increasing fare burdens.
As India continues to invest in rail modernisation projects, fare structures and service quality will remain key considerations in ensuring balanced growth and passenger satisfaction.
