Train Ticket Update: Indian Railways may consider discontinuing the Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) facility, under which two passengers are allotted a single side-lower berth. According to a report by The Times of India (TOI), the proposal is being examined to improve passenger convenience and address concerns over the existing reservation system.
The main issue is that RAC passengers pay the full ticket fare but do not receive an individual sleeping berth. Instead, two passengers have to share the same berth. The proposal has gained attention following concerns raised by a parliamentary panel about the fairness of charging the full fare for partially shared accommodation.
Railway officials have reportedly acknowledged the concern, with one view suggesting that passengers who do not receive complete sleeping space should not necessarily be charged the full fare.
Why Is Indian Railways Considering Ending RAC Tickets?
Under the existing RAC arrangement, two passengers are allotted one side-lower berth in a reserved coach. During the daytime, the berth is used as shared seating accommodation, while both passengers have to share the sleeping space at night.
Although the arrangement allows more passengers to travel in reserved coaches, it can sometimes create difficulties and discomfort.
One concern arises when a male and a female passenger are allotted the same side-lower berth. Managing seating arrangements in such situations can also become challenging for Train Ticket Examiners (TTEs).
The full-fare structure has therefore raised questions about whether the current RAC system offers passengers fair value for their money.
Parliamentary Panel Raises Questions Over RAC Fares
The RAC reservation system has also attracted the attention of a parliamentary panel. The panel has recommended that Indian Railways review the existing arrangement, particularly the practice of collecting the full ticket fare from passengers who receive only shared accommodation.
It has questioned whether RAC passengers should continue paying the same fare as confirmed ticket holders despite not receiving an individual berth.
The recommendation has brought the existing reservation policy under fresh consideration. However, the reported proposal to discontinue RAC should not be treated as a confirmed railway decision.
What Is an RAC Ticket and How Does It Work?
Reservation Against Cancellation, commonly known as RAC, is a ticket category that allows passengers to travel in reserved railway coaches even when they do not have a fully confirmed berth.
RAC occupies a position between a confirmed reservation and a waiting-list ticket. Unlike waitlisted passengers, RAC ticket holders are permitted to board the train and travel in the reserved coach.
Under the current arrangement, two RAC passengers share one side-lower berth. The space serves as shared seating during the day and is divided for sleeping at night.
This facility allows passengers to undertake their journey even when regular confirmed berths are unavailable.
Will RAC Tickets Be Discontinued?
The possibility of ending the RAC facility has emerged following concerns about passenger comfort and the full-fare policy. However, the information currently available indicates that the proposal is under consideration.
Until Indian Railways issues an official notification, passengers should not assume that RAC tickets have been discontinued or that the existing booking rules have changed.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the information and media reports provided in the source material, including the report attributed to The Times of India. The possible discontinuation of RAC tickets is a reported proposal and not a confirmed policy change. Passengers should refer to official Indian Railways announcements for the latest reservation rules and updates.