The Indian railways keep on making changes to make travel easier and more comfortable. Recently, some pictures and videos went viral on social media in which overcrowding in reservation coaches of trains was shown due to the waiting list tickets. Now, the railway authorities have amended the rules regarding waiting list tickets. According to the new rules, only passengers who have confirmed reservations are permitted to travel in reservation coaches.

Waiting Tickets Restrictions

Now, Indian Railways has changed its rules about waiting tickets. Henceforth, the waiting list tickets—whether booked online or at ticket counters—will not be allowed to travel in Reservation Coaches or A.C. Coaches. The implication is that even if the waiting ticket was bought from the counter, passengers cannot occupy seats in reserved coaches, including reservation coaches.

Online Waiting List Restrictions 

According to the rules of the railway, if you book a waiting list ticket online through IRCTC, you won’t be permitted to travel in the reserved coach. If your ticket doesn’t get confirmed, then your money will be refunded automatically. Sometimes earlier, passengers with waiting list tickets from the counter used to travel in reservation coaches. That won’t happen now. With a waiting list ticket bought from the railway ticket counter, one can travel only by the general coach. No exceptions will be made to travel either in reservation or in AC coaches.

Strict Penalties 

Travelers holding waiting list tickets may be asked to disembark at the next station for traveling in reserved coaches and a penalty will be charged. Travelers with waiting list tickets will not be permitted to enter the reservation coaches. On being caught, he will be fined upto ₹440. There will also be a heavy penalty for travelling on a reserved coach holding a ticket with a waiting list status. On being caught you are liable to be charged for the journey from the starting station upto destination in addition to minimum penalty of ₹440.