New Rule to Enhance Travel Experience
In a pathbreaking and sensibility-led initiative, Indian Railways announced a new rule to enhance the travel experience of passengers and solve the age-old issue of overbooking. The waiting list tickets for distribution on any train from here onward have been limited to a mere 25% of the train’s capacity. That is fewer upset travellers, greater transparency, and a smoother travel experience overall.
Train Waiting List Gets a Facelift
The scheme has been made applicable to all the main classes of Indian trains, i.e., AC First Class, AC Second Tier, AC Third Tier, Sleeper, and Chair Car. Only a quarter of the total berths in each class will be held for waiting list bookings immediately. This policy was initiated from June 16 and is being introduced in all zones by Indian Railways.
Suppose a train has 1,000 seats. Previously, there would be hundreds of passengers retained on the waiting list. But now, only 250 waiting list tickets will get exhausted. This is to minimize the confusion and frustration of the passengers who never knew if their ticket would be confirmed or not.
Fewer Waiting Tickets, Fewer Crowds
Train statistics indicate that approximately 20% to 25% of waiting tickets are confirmed prior to final charting. By limiting waiting tickets to this level of trend, riders now have a better idea whether and when they will get a confirmed seat. No longer is there a matter of hoping. No longer are there packed trains of riders riding non-confirmed tickets.
The authorities think that this new limitation will also deter the typical chaos observed in reserved cabins. Earlier, a majority of waitlist holders would travel despite filling up corridors, creating tension and despair for all on board. With fewer people possessing unconfirmed tickets, such incidents will be a rarity.
Whether it is a Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, or even a simple Mail or Superfast Express, that encompasses them all. The notion behind is to introduce uniformity, enhance predictability, and make it absolutely clear to everyone where they are.
What Was the System Before?
Prior to this overhaul, the Railway Board’s circular of January 2013 permitted much larger waiting ticket quotas: 30 in AC First Class, 100 in AC Second, 300 in AC Third, and up to 400 in Sleeper Class. Sounded good reading, but it also tended to collapse spectacularly. Too many hopeful travellers, not enough available seats, and a lot of hassle.
Passengers would often enter booked compartments with no assigned seats, causing confrontations and disorganization. Not only did it disturb the passengers but also made it tough for the railway staff to keep them in order. With the new policy, such hassle is likely to decrease significantly.
By capping wait tickets to a reasonable percentage, Indian Railways is taking a step towards a more comfortable, disciplined, and transparent journey. Travellers now enjoy an open view of their prospects and can plan journeys with greater confidence. It’s an uncomplicated concept with a strong effect; travel with less uncertainty, and greater peace of mind.
