Thrissur: The Southern Railway has revised its rules for parcel services at stations with less than a five-minute stop. Effective Monday, December 16, 2024, a single ticket will now cover parcels weighing up to 300 kilograms, with additional tickets required for heavier loads.

Under the new guidelines, a 1000-kilogram parcel will require four tickets. Previously, there was no weight limit for parcels, and individuals only needed to purchase a general ticket.

Since the adoption of computerized systems, parcels from stations with brief stop times required individuals to purchase a general ticket in addition to paying the applicable parcel fees. However, there was no weight limit for parcels covered under these transport services. As a result, small businesses could easily deliver large quantities of parcels without having to pay extra based on the weight of the parcels.

For example, the general ticket fare from Thrissur to Delhi is ₹540. Under the updated rules, sending a 1000-kilogram parcel would cost ₹2160 in ticket fares.

Two months ago, Southern Railway also increased parcel rates, further impacting small-scale traders who rely on the service. Despite the changes, railway parcel services remain the most cost-effective option in the segment.