Each day millions of passengers across India use the services of Indian Railways to commute from one place to another. There are a number of rules set up by the railway department to ensure a hassle-free experience while travelling. There are, however, few regulations that people might be unaware of. Read further to uncover these rules:
1) The Rule of Two Stations
In case, a passenger misses to board the train from the designated boarding station, the ticket collector cannot allot his/her seat to anybody else for at least one hour or until the train passes the next two stops. This allows the passenger to board the train from any of the next two stops. Once the train has passed the timeline or the next two stops, the TTE (Travel Ticket Examiner) is free to allocate the seat to the next person on the RAC list.
2) Sleeping hours for middle berth occupant
Passengers who have been assigned a middle berth seat cannot keep the berth up beyond the sleeping hours. Yes, that is true!
The sleeping hours have been marked between 10 PM to 6 AM.
3) Extending the Journey
Due to unavailability of tickets (especially during peak seasons), many passengers have to book tickets to an earlier station than the original stop. In such instances, passengers can inform the TTE before reaching the destination station and extend their journey. TTE will collect the extra fare and issue a ticket for further journey. Using this provision might entitle you to a different berth or a seat in the chair car.
4) TTE cannot disturb the passenger after 10 o’clock
According to the revised guidelines by the railway board, TTEs should complete the verification of tickets of passengers aboard reserved coaches before 10 pm.
5) Refund for short terminated trains
The rule states that if a train journey is not completed because of problems en-route and the Railways is unable to make any alternate arrangements, then the full fare paid for the booked journey will be refunded. In case the Railways is ready with a backup arrangement but the passenger is not willing to avail it, then the fare for the travelled portion will be retained and the remaining balance will be refunded after the ticket is surrendered.
