The invention provides a method for controlling an air source system for a railway vehicle. The method comprises the following steps that: a local control unit, which corresponds to a compartment of a compressor, is arranged in the railway vehicle, acquires first information of the compartment and transmits the information to a central control unit of the railway vehicle through a vehicle network; the local control unit receives a control message for controlling on and off of the compressor according to the first information and second information transmitted by other compartments, wherein the control message is returned by the central control unit through the vehicle network; and the local control unit, which corresponds to the compartment of the compressor arranged in the railway vehicle, controls on and off of the compressor according to the control message. By the method for controlling the air source system for the railway vehicle, the compressors distributed at different positions of a train are controlled uniformly; airpipe pressure of the train is guaranteed precisely; impact on power supply of the train is reduced; and service life of the compressor is prolonged.