Common travellers are facing more difficulties after a new railway rule came into effect on May 1. Under this rule, even waitlisted passengers are not allowed to board second-class sleeper coaches. According to a media report, the change has been introduced to ease overcrowding in reserved compartments.
According to data, most people in the country travel in economy class, either in unreserved coaches or sleeper class. However, last summer saw a sudden rise in the number of passengers opting for sleeper class, following an increase in air-conditioned coaches. Photos and videos of overcrowded compartments shared online and in the media, along with passenger complaints about discomfort, prompted the railways to enforce new rules restricting the entry of travellers with unconfirmed tickets.
As per the new rule, waitlisted passengers must now travel only in unreserved compartments. If anyone with an unconfirmed ticket is found in reserved sleeper coaches, they will be treated as travelling without a valid ticket, fined heavily, and may be removed from the train.
This decision is expected to create significant inconvenience for many passengers, especially those who cannot afford air-conditioned travel. The fare gap between sleeper class and AC coaches is substantial, and for families, the cost becomes even more burdensome. With the Railways reducing the number of sleeper class coaches and adding more 3AC compartments, common travellers are likely to face greater financial strain and limited options.
To avoid overcrowding in general compartments, the Railways have started operating special trains on busy routes whenever they observe a spike in ticket demand. These trains are occasionally arranged to accommodate waitlisted passengers and offer an alternative for those who prefer travelling in second-class sleeper coaches.
While the move helps manage the rush and keeps sleeper-class travellers within the system, there’s a downside. These special trains run on premium fares. “Railways is taking advantage of the helplessness of travellers,” said Basant Shukla, Secretary of BYK.
Another issue with these trains is that they are not part of the regular timetable. As a result, there’s no assurance of their punctuality. Even after paying high fares, passengers may face inconvenience, as these special trains often don’t get priority on congested routes.
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