Railways Should Refund Passengers Who Don’t Get Berth Under RAC, Says Parliamentary Committee

Balasahana Suresh
A recent recommendation by a Parliamentary Committee has emphadata-sized that indian Railways should compensate passengers who pay full fare but do not get a confirmed berth under the Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) system. This comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and passenger rights in the railway sector.

1. Background: RAC and Passenger Concerns

  • RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) allows passengers to travel even if a full berth isn’t available.
  • Passengers under RAC are allotted a shared berth or a seat, and the full berth may be allocated if others cancel.
  • Many passengers pay the full fare expecting a berth, but often end up traveling without a proper berth.
  • Complaints include discomfort during long journeys and unfair charging practices.
2. Parliamentary Committee Recommendation

  • The Committee on Transport has recommended that indian Railways:
    • Refund passengers fully if they pay full fare but don’t get a confirmed berth.
    • Consider a partial refund or compensation proportional to the inconvenience if only part of the journey is affected.
  • This recommendation aims to protect passenger rights and improve trust in the railway reservation system.
3. Passenger Fare vs. service Received

  • Currently, RAC passengers pay the same fare as confirmed berth passengers, even if they only get a seat.
  • The committee noted this as unfair and inconsistent with principles of equitable service.
  • A structured refund or compensation system could address this imbalance and encourage transparency.
4. Possible Implementation Measures

  • Automatic refund system linked to ticket booking platforms.
  • Clear communication of RAC terms and likelihood of berth confirmation at the time of booking.
  • Potential introduction of tiered fares based on the probability of getting a full berth.
5. Implications for indian Railways

  • Enhances passenger satisfaction and accountability.
  • Encourages Railways to modernize the RAC system and avoid passenger disputes.
  • Could lead to policy changes in ticket pricing and booking management.
6. Conclusion

The Parliamentary Committee’s recommendation highlights the need for fair treatment of RAC passengers. Ensuring refunds or compensation for those who pay full fare but don’t get a berth could strengthen public confidence in indian Railways and improve overall passenger experience.

 

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