if you are also a train lover then this article is for you. Every day, Indian Railways operates thousands of trains catering to millions of passengers. For many, taking the train is the go-to option for travel due to its convenience and comfort. When it comes to train travel, there are two options: reserved coaches and unreserved coaches.
Most travelers lean towards reserved coaches, but sometimes reservations don’t go through, leaving tickets on the waiting list. It’s common for those who book tickets offline to still travel with their waiting list tickets since offline tickets can’t be canceled.
Recently, Indian Railways has introduced significant changes regarding waiting list tickets that will impact countless passengers. If you often find yourself on a waiting list, here’s what you need to know about the new rules.
Traveling in sleeper and AC coaches with waiting tickets is now completely prohibited. This means that passengers holding waiting tickets can only travel in general coaches. Those who don’t follow this rule will face fines.
For instance, if you’re caught traveling in an AC coach with a waiting ticket, you could be fined up to Rs 440, plus the fare from the starting station to the next one. Similarly, traveling in a sleeper coach could result in a fine of up to Rs 250, along with the fare to the next station.
Starting January 1, 2025, Indian Railways has a new rule about waiting tickets that all train travelers need to follow. Plus, they’re bringing in AI to help with seat allocation, making the booking process quicker and smoother.