Indications about a possible hike in passenger fare are on as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) came down heavily on the Railways for mismanagement of its finances. The CAG said net revenue surplus of the Railways declined from Rs 13, 431 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 75 lakh in 2009-10.

Rail fare for the AC class is likely to be hiked.  "A rationalisation of the fare structure" can be considered, railways minister Dinesh Trivedi said. Passenger fare in sleeper and general classes, however, are likely to remain untouched. Rail fare has not been increased since 1998 although, during this 13 year period, it has been indirectly increased on several occasions. 

In 2001, then railways minister Nitish Kumar had imposed a safety surcharge on passenger tickets. This was followed by the levy of a development surcharge. During Lalu Prasad's term (2004-09), fare were indirectly raised when the "Tatkal" scheme was launched. A levy on purchase of premium tickets (tickets purchased for destinations other than the place of purchase) had also been started. Since 2007, no formal or informal hike in passenger fare has come about.