New Delhi: In a move aimed at improving passenger fairness, a parliamentary committee has recommended that Indian Railways refund part of the ticket fare to passengers travelling under the Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) system. The panel pointed out that RAC passengers are denied the full comfort enjoyed by confirmed ticket holders, as two passengers are required to share a single berth, making it impossible to sleep properly. Charging the full fare in such circumstances is unjust, the committee said, recommending that passengers be refunded half the ticket amount when only half a berth is provided.
The committee also raised concerns over the steady reduction of sleeper class coaches, warning that it has hit ordinary travellers the hardest. Stressing the need for passenger-centric reforms, the panel urged Indian Railways to increase the number of sleeper coaches on long-distance trains and ensure that comfort and accessibility remain a priority in future planning.
