Indian Railways has several strict rules to prevent irregular or ticketless travel.
However, there are also some lesser-known rules that actually benefit passengers.
One such rule is designed especially for women passengers.
In certain situations, women and their attendants can travel more safely and even at a lower cost.
Every day, around 18.5 million people travel on Indian trains in AC, sleeper, and general coaches.
To ensure safe and comfortable journeys, the Railways has created a Passenger Rail Manual that includes special guidelines for different situations.
Special Rule for Women Travelling Alone
If a woman is travelling alone in a First AC coach, the Railways has a rule to ensure her safety.
According to this rule, an attendant travelling with her can stay in the First AC coach at night, even if the attendant’s ticket is for a lower class.
During the daytime, the attendant is expected to travel in the class mentioned on their ticket.
However, there is one important condition.
Condition for the Attendant’s Travel
The attendant must have a valid Second AC ticket.
If this condition is met, the attendant can accompany the woman passenger in the First AC coach at night.
In such cases, even the TTE cannot stop the attendant from entering the First AC coach.
This rule was created mainly to improve the safety and comfort of women travelling alone, especially during overnight journeys.
Rules for Women Travelling with Children
The Railways has also made special provisions for women travelling with children in the ladies’ coach.
If a woman is travelling in a ladies’ coach and has a child with her, the child can stay with her in the same coach as long as the child is under 12 years of age.
In this situation, railway staff or the TTE cannot prevent the child from travelling in the ladies’ coach with their mother.
These rules were introduced to make train journeys safer and more comfortable for women and children.
Knowing such rules can help passengers avoid confusion and travel with greater confidence.
