The railway authorities are working on a plan to reduce ticketless travel on Mumbai's suburban trains by proposing a hike in fines. Western Railway (WR) and Central Railway (CR) have sent proposals to the Railway Board, requesting permission to introduce a tiered penalty system based on the type of compartment.
Currently, the base penalty for ticketless travel is a uniform INR 250 across all compartments, including second class, first class, and air-conditioned (AC) coaches.
The proposal suggests increasing the base fine as follows:
- INR 250 for second class
- INR 750 for first class
- INR 1,000 for AC compartments.
Additionally, a 5% GST and the highest fare for the train route are charged, similar to the existing penalty system for long-distance trains.
For example, currently passengers traveling without a ticket on a train must pay INR 250 along with the applicable fare and GST for first-class or AC compartments. Under the proposed system, this base fine will vary depending on the compartment class.
The goal is to address the growing number of ticketless travelers, especially on AC trains.
Railway officials noted that the current penalty system for long-distance trains already varies by class, including sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, and 1AC compartments. These fines include the ticket cost and GST.
As per reports, implementing these changes would take time. Amendments to the Indian Railway Act of 1989 are required to revise the penalties.
Between April and November 2024, the Western Railway collected INR 30.63 crore in fines from Mumbai suburban trains. This amount includes penalties for ticketless travel and unbooked luggage.
Share
Tweet
