Indian Railways has announced that 18 of its 'superfast' train services will be reclassified as regular express trains starting January 1, 2027. This change will mean lower fares for passengers, as the additional superfast surcharge will be removed from ticket prices.
The affected services, which include prominent routes connecting Delhi, Bihar, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, will also receive new train numbers. Passengers planning travel from the start of 2027 onwards are advised to check the revised numbers to avoid booking difficulties.
Fare Reductions for Passengers
With the removal of the superfast status, passengers will see a noticeable decrease in their ticket costs. The superfast surcharge, which is currently applied on top of the basic fare, will no longer be applicable. The fare reductions will vary by travel class:
- Sleeper Class: ₹30 reduction
- Third AC, Third AC Economy, Second AC, AC Chair Car: ₹45 reduction
- First AC and Executive Class: ₹75 reduction
This initiative aims to provide more affordable travel options for commuters on these specific routes.
Why the Superfast Status Was Abolished
The decision to downgrade these 18 trains stems from a regular review conducted by the Railway Board. According to established rules, a train must maintain an average speed of at least 55 kmph to qualify as a superfast service. This average is calculated by dividing the total distance covered by the total journey time, considering speeds in both directions.
The review found that these 18 services consistently failed to meet the prescribed average speed requirement. Operational factors such as increased traffic, additional stops, or other route-specific issues can contribute to persistent delays, preventing trains from maintaining the necessary speed for superfast classification.
New Train Numbers for Affected Services
Passengers should note that all 18 reclassified trains will operate under new numbers from January 1, 2027. It is crucial to use the updated numbers when searching for and booking tickets for journeys on or after this date. Some of the affected services and their number changes include:
- Tanakpur–Delhi Junction: Old 12035; New 15317
- Delhi Junction–Tanakpur: Old 12036; New 15318
- Dehradun–Kathgodam: Old 12091; New 15315
- Kathgodam–Dehradun: Old 12092; New 15316
- Muzaffarpur–Anand Vihar Terminal: Old 12557; New 15577
- Anand Vihar Terminal–Muzaffarpur: Old 12558; New 15578
- Rajgir–New Delhi: Old 12391; New 13291
- New Delhi–Rajgir: Old 12392; New 13292
A complete list of old and new train numbers will be made available by Indian Railways for all affected routes. Passengers are strongly encouraged to verify these details before making travel plans for 2027.