Railway RAC Fare Update: Indian Railways is considered the lifeline of the country, as it is the cheapest and most accessible mode of long-distance travel compared to buses and airplanes. However, due to the high demand for train seats, passengers often cannot get confirmed tickets and are forced to travel on RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets.

According to current RAC rules, two passengers are accommodated on the same berth, but both are charged the full fare. Now, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has questioned this system and made an important suggestion to the Railway Ministry that could provide significant relief to millions of passengers in the future.

Half Seat, Half Fare

In its report on “Punctuality and Travel Time in Train Operations,” the Parliamentary Committee clearly stated that it is not appropriate to charge full fare from passengers who are forced to travel in RAC due to the lack of confirmed berths. The committee recommended that the Railways should establish a system to provide RAC passengers with a partial refund of their fare.

The argument is that if a passenger is only provided with half a seating berth instead of a full berth, why should they have to pay for the entire berth? The committee also requested the Railway Ministry to inform Parliament of the action taken in this regard.

PRILEADS FOR RAC PASSENGERS

Currently, a passenger holding an RAC ticket is permitted to board and travel, but is denied a full berth for sleeping. Lower berths are divided into two parts and allocated to two passengers, causing significant inconvenience to passengers during long-distance travel, especially at night. Passengers with waitlisted tickets receive a refund after deducting cancellation charges if their tickets are not confirmed, but this is not the case for RAC passengers, as they have technically already been assigned a seat. The committee believes that passengers should receive financial compensation for this inconvenience.

Challenges and Future Prospects for Railways

Implementing this recommendation could be a significant challenge for the Railways, as RAC revenue contributes a significant portion of its revenue. While RAC is a significant relief for those traveling unexpectedly, paying for a full berth and then occupying half a berth has always been a source of controversy.

If the Railway Ministry accepts this recommendation, major changes will be required in the ticket booking software (IRCTC) to automatically credit partial refunds to the accounts of passengers left in RAC after chart preparation. This step will not only demonstrate sensitivity to passengers but also make railway services more efficient.

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