Railways allows passengers to change train travel dates online without charges from January
PTC Web Desk: Indian Railways is set to make train travel more convenient for passengers with a new online ticket modification policy. From January onwards, travellers will be able to change the travel date of their confirmed train tickets online without paying any cancellation charges, as per information shared by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw with NDTV.
Under the current system, passengers who wish to alter their travel dates must cancel their existing tickets and book a new one, often incurring deductions based on the timing of cancellation. This method has long been considered cumbersome and expensive for travellers.
Speaking on the reform, Vaishnaw said, “The existing process is unfair and not passenger-friendly.” He confirmed that directives have been issued to implement the updated system, which will allow users to reschedule their journeys more easily.
However, passengers should note that the availability of a confirmed ticket on the new date is not guaranteed and will depend on seat availability. Additionally, if the revised ticket fare is higher, travellers will need to pay the fare difference.
This change is expected to benefit millions of passengers who often face high cancellation charges under current rules. At present, cancelling a confirmed ticket 48 to 12 hours before departure results in a 25% deduction, with higher charges applied for cancellations made 12 to 4 hours before departure. Refunds are generally not provided once the reservation chart is prepared.
- With inputs from agencies
