New Delhi, June 14 (PTI): The railway ministry has raised its fine on free trippers from Rs 50 to Rs 250 with effect from next month.

“The penalty for ticketless rail travel will be increased to Rs 250 from existing Rs 50 with effect from July 1, 2004,” an official release said here today.

With a five-fold increase in the penalty on ticketless travel, the railway hopes to plug the leak in revenue considerably, the release read.

The decision was taken after amendments to the Railways Act,1989, were carried out.