Indian Railways: In comparison to other modes of transportation, the cost of traveling by Indian trains is significantly lower. This affordability leads to millions of passengers utilizing Indian Railways on a daily basis. To enhance passenger experience, Indian Railways has implemented various regulations aimed at minimizing travel-related issues. However, it is frequently observed that passengers miss their trains due to late arrivals at the station, resulting in considerable frustration.
Can a passenger board a different train with the same ticket?
Passengers often inquire whether they can board a different train with the same ticket if they miss their scheduled train, or if they must purchase a new ticket. This query causes confusion among many travelers. To clarify, under Indian Railways’ regulations, holders of general tickets are permitted to travel on another train of the same category if they miss their original train. Conversely, if they attempt to board a train of a different category, such as Vande Bharat or Tejas, they risk incurring a fine if caught.
It is important to note that general tickets are not accepted on premium trains like Superfast, Rajdhani, or Vande Bharat. Traveling on these trains with a general ticket will be treated as traveling without a valid ticket, leading to potential fines.
On the other hand, if a passenger holds a confirmed reservation ticket and misses their train, they are not allowed to travel on any other train using that ticket. If caught attempting to do so, the Ticket Checking Staff (TTE) may impose a fine. Additionally, failure to pay the fine and any misconduct towards the TTE could result in legal consequences, including possible imprisonment.