Indian Railways To Remove Superfast Tag From 18 Trains; Check New Numbers And Fare Changes From January 1

The biggest relief for passengers will be the removal of the additional superfast surcharge. Depending on the travel class, passengers could save between Rs 30 and Rs 75 per ticket, while the basic fare will remain unchanged.

The revised numbering will affect several routes connecting Delhi with Uttarakhand, Bihar and Punjab. Passengers travelling on these routes will need to use the updated train numbers when checking schedules and booking tickets for journeys from January onwards.

Why Are The 18 Trains Losing Their Superfast Tag?

The reclassification follows a review of train speeds conducted under Railway Board guidelines. To retain the superfast category, a broad-gauge train must maintain an average speed of at least 55 kmph over its entire journey.

The assessment considers the total distance covered and the time taken to complete the journey, including stoppages. Northern Railway’s review found that the 18 services no longer met the prescribed speed benchmark.

Additional stoppages, congestion and operational delays can increase journey times, bringing down a train’s overall average speed. The revised classification will therefore apply from January 1, 2027.

How Much Will Passengers Save?

The removal of the superfast classification means passengers will no longer have to pay the additional surcharge applicable to these services.

The expected reduction in ticket charges is:

The reduction applies to the superfast surcharge, not the basic ticket fare.

Full List: 18 Trains To Get New Numbers

Northern Railway has announced revised numbers for nine pairs of trains, covering both directions of each service.

All these revised numbers will come into effect on January 1, 2027.

Karnataka-Linked Trains To Also Get New Numbers

Apart from Northern Railway’s announcement, South Western Railway has also notified changes to train numbers on several services connecting Karnataka with other states. These revisions will take effect on different dates in January 2027.

The affected services include the Vishwamanava Express, Malgudi Daily Express, Tirupati-SMVT Bengaluru Express and Garib Rath Express.

The Vishwamanava Express will also lose its superfast classification. However, passengers should not assume that every train receiving a new number is being downgraded. The numbering changes and classification revisions are separate decisions.

What Should Passengers Do Before Booking Tickets?

Passengers travelling on the affected routes should keep the following points in mind:

– Check revised numbers: Use the new train numbers when searching for services operating from January 2027.

– Verify booking details: Check updated schedules and reservation information before planning journeys.

– Note individual dates: While most changes take effect on January 1, some Karnataka-linked services will be renumbered on January 2, 3 and 4.

– Check official updates: Passengers can use the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or call the railway helpline 139 for the latest information.

For passengers, the most immediate benefit of Northern Railway’s decision will be the removal of the additional superfast surcharge. The revised numbers will be useful for anyone booking or checking train schedules in the new year.