THE TICKET CANCELLATION CHARGES TO BE MODIFIED for the BENEFIT OF THE RAILWAYS :

Rail tickets can be booked 120 days ahead of the travel now .But the Cancellation charges start only just 48 hours before the departure of the train . why ? It is not at all fair to have the same charges for passengers preferring to cancel earlier , say 15 / 30 / 60 / 90 days before departure than the 48 hours before departure .Those who are compelled to cancel due to unavoidable situation after 30 / 60 / 90 days are also levied the same cancellation fee of 48 hours before departure .

There should be a choice for 30 /60 days cancellation allowed with less cancellation charges than the prevailing charges starting only 48 hours before departure which is very heavy . The move looks it is only to fleez the passengers public . This period of 118 days is too long and not fair to hold the passengers’ money for 118 days . When that facility is available passengers would definitely cancel earlier than just before 48 Hour . That will result in release of seats / berths being held and give lot of opportunities for passengers seeking reservation. This will be a boon Particularly for the Elder citizens, Women, the infirm and the family travelling with children who like to like to have the confirmed ticket in hand as soon as they pay the money. Certainly they will prefer rail travel compared to other modes like Bus or flight or car.

THAT IS ONE WAY TO INCREASE OCCUPANCY RATES FOR THE HIGHER CLASSES AND EARN SOME REVENUE. THIS WILL ALSO KEEP THE OPERATIONAL RATIO ON CHECK .

The other injustice done to the short distance travelers .There are plenty of such day trains used by Passengers travelling less distance like [Chennai to Katpadi, Salem ,Bengaluru ] 130 / 332/ 362 KM and Coimbatore –Salem 160Km . These short distance destinations are permissible in Shatabdis also. Example , Chennai Katpadi 130 KM , Bengakuru Mysuru 139 KM .
Unfortunately many such passengers have to depend on R.L.W.L . Unfortunately such Passengers have to wait till the date of the journey to know plight of the availability . What will they do when tickets are not available and informe at the 11th hour .

The rates for A/C chair car are,

Chennai – Bangalore - Shatabdi -362 KM - 835 / 501 Senior citizen - Cancn 180/

Chennai – Bangalore D.D.A/C – 545 / 365 Senior Citizen – Cncn. 180/

Chennai Katpadi 130 KM – 425 / 255 Senior citizen Cancn 180 /

It looks really ridiculous , when a senior citizen is cancelling a ticket bought for Rs. 255 / pays a cancellation fee of Rs. 180.

There will be many many instances in the 17 , zonal railways and 73 Divisions in the Railways .
So a relook is requested by the Indian Railways to look into ,

* revising the cancellation fee structures starting from 90 days 60 days and 15 days also to reduce the financial burden on the passengers cancelling .

* the minimum cancellation fee for short distance tickets should never be more than 1/3 rd the price the passenger had paid if cancelled early.

* Encourage such Short distance travelers with increased confirmed quota and not depend solely only on R.L.W.L. getting cleared ; this will also boost the usage and revenue.

Increase revenue for the railways. more