Indian Railways will remove the superfast status of 18 trains from 1 January 2027, changing their train numbers and reducing passenger fares by eliminating the superfast surcharge. The affected services connect Delhi with Uttarakhand, Bihar and Punjab, making the change important for passengers who regularly book tickets on these routes.
According to a report by Aaj Tak Business, the trains will operate as ordinary Express services after the change. The list includes the Purnagiri Jan Shatabdi, Sapt Kranti and Shramjeevi Express services, among others. Passengers will need to use the new train numbers while searching for services and booking tickets after the effective date.
The change follows a review of the trains’ average speeds. Railway rules require a train classified as superfast to record an average speed of at least 55 kilometres per hour. This calculation is based on the total distance divided by the total journey time, with the average speed in both directions taken into account.
The railway review found that the average speeds of the 18 trains were below the prescribed threshold. The services will therefore be moved from the superfast category to the ordinary Express category. The report said that additional stoppages, heavier traffic on routes and other operational factors can affect a train’s average speed and punctuality.
Passengers will save the superfast surcharge charged in addition to the basic ticket fare. The reduction will be up to Rs 30 in Sleeper Class, Rs 45 in Third AC, Third AC Economy, Second AC and AC Chair Car, and Rs 75 in First AC and Executive Class. The exact fare will depend on the class of travel and the journey booked.
The affected services include the Tanakpur–Delhi Junction trains, whose numbers will change from 12035 and 12036 to 15317 and 15318. The Dehradun–Kathgodam services will change from 12091 and 12092 to 15315 and 15316. The Moradabad–Ramnagar services numbered 25013 and 25014 will become 15313 and 15314, while services numbered 25035 and 25036 will become 15335 and 15336.
The Islampur–New Delhi pair will change from 20801 and 20802 to 18633 and 18634. The Darbhanga–Jalandhar City trains will move from 22551 and 22552 to 15541 and 15542. The Pataliputra–Chandigarh services will change from 22355 and 22356 to 13255 and 13256.
The Muzaffarpur–Anand Vihar Terminal trains will be renumbered from 12557 and 12558 to 15577 and 15578. The Rajgir–New Delhi services will change from 12391 and 12392 to 13291 and 13292.
The affected routes serve passengers in Delhi, Bihar, Punjab and Uttarakhand. Travellers using these trains will need to check the revised numbers while planning journeys from 1 January 2027, when the new classification and numbering will take effect.
