Indian Railways Rules Changed: No More RAC Tickets In Garib Rath Express Trains

No RAC, Only Confirmed Tickets in Garib Rath Express Trains-Indian railways - Sakshi Post

In a circular issued by the Ministry of Railways and the Railway Board, the passengers will no longer be able to avail of the Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) seats on Garib Rath Express trains henceforth. RAC is a type of ticket sold for travel on the Indian Railways where though it ensures certainty of travel, it does not guarantee a berth.

The Garib Rath trains were introduced in 2006 by the then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav with the intention of providing AC services to middle-class passengers at low fares. There are 26 Garib Rath trains plying in the country and are widely used by the people of India. According to IRCTC's website, RAC ticket is technically a train ticket with a confirmed seat that does not guarantee a berth and is waitlisted though it ensures certainty of travel. A berth is split into two seats for 2 RAC ticket holders

As per reports, the Railway Board has taken this decision after complaints from passengers traveling in the Garib Rath trains who were facing hassles due to the RAC seat reservation option. Those who are given RAC will have to share their seat with a passenger unless there is a cancellation of a seat reservation. This apart a passenger will have to share a berth with another co-passenger causing inconvenience to both of them. There are a total of 9 berths in a compartment of the Garib Rath Express train, while there are only 8 berths in a compartment of other trains. In such a situation, if two passengers were traveling with a RAC ticket, they will be allotted only one berth which they would have to share and sit. The actual problem happens in the night journey when the passengers in the above berths sleep forcing the RAC ticket holders to travel sitting in a hunched position all night till they reach their destination.

Now with the decision of the Railway Board to do away with the RAC option passengers will now only get a confirmed seat in the Garib Rath Express train and can travel in the comfort of the 3rd AC train. Instructions have been issued to all the concerned departments to abolish the provision of RAC in Garib Rath Express train.

Also Read: SCR Announces Sabarimala Special Trains for Ayyappa Devotees

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