139 was never free to start with. the erstwhile system of local enquiry numbers like 131, 132 etc were also not free. local charges in landline (1 call every 3 mts) and as per pulse of mobile operators were charged before and now. you tend to feel you are paying more because you are entring ivrs numbers and listening to the answers. the same process costs you less in case of landline numbers since the call pulse is 180 seconds.
only irctc has toll free number started some months back for complaints/ suggestions regarding catering etc. May be everybody had a misconception that this is free number. even old enquiry numbers also attracted charges.