Indian Railways to Review RAC System Over Shared Berths and Full Fare Charges

Indian Railways is considering discontinuing the Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) facility, under which two passengers are allotted one berth, as per Times of India news report. Both passengers pay the full ticket fare, although each gets only half the sleeping space. 

The issue is being examined amid concerns over the arrangement and its relevance to the current reservation system. A railway official said there was a view that charging the full fare when a passenger does not receive an entire berth needed to be reconsidered. 

Problems Faced by RAC Passengers 

Sharing a berth can be inconvenient, particularly on long-distance and overnight journeys. The arrangement can also lead to difficulties when a male and a female passenger are allotted the same seat. 

Train ticket examiners face problems finding alternative arrangements in such cases. The availability of another vacant berth cannot always be assured, leaving passengers to continue with the original allocation. 

Parliamentary Panel Questions Fare Structure 

The issue of charging full fares to RAC passengers has also been raised by a parliamentary panel. It questioned the basis for collecting the entire ticket amount when passengers are not provided with a complete berth. 

The panel has recommended that Indian Railways examine the existing provision. Its recommendation centres on the difference between the fare charged and the accommodation provided to passengers travelling on RAC tickets. 

How the RAC System Started? 

RAC was introduced when railway reservations were handled mainly through manual processes. At the time, there was no electronic system to track ticket cancellations and vacant berths as they became available. 

The provision allowed two passengers to travel using one berth. If another passenger cancelled their ticket, one of the RAC passengers could be allotted the vacant full berth. 

The reservation system has since moved to electronic platforms, which allow cancellations and berth availability to be tracked. However, the RAC arrangement has continued. 

What Happens Next? 

Indian Railways is examining the possibility of doing away with RAC, but no final decision has been announced. The review will determine whether the existing arrangement should continue in its present form, given the concerns over full fares and shared sleeping space. 

Read More: RBI Clarifies Existing CTS Cheque Books Will Remain Valid After December 31, 2026! 

Conclusion  

The proposal to discontinue RAC is under consideration, with passenger convenience and the existing fare arrangement among the issues being examined. A final decision is awaited. 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.   

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.