Indian Railways is set to give passengers a big relief. Soon, passengers will no longer have to pay a cancellation fee for train tickets.
A new system is being introduced that will allow travelers to change their travel dates without canceling their tickets. This facility will be available on the IRCTC website and app.
Reschedule Tickets Instead of Cancelling
Currently, if a passenger misses a train or has to cancel a trip unexpectedly, part of their fare (or sometimes the entire fare) is deducted.
With the new system, passengers can choose a new travel date instead of canceling.
If the fare for the new train or date is higher, passengers will only pay the difference. Importantly, no cancellation fee will be charged.
Solving a Major Passenger Problem
Under current rules, canceling a ticket can cost 25% to 50% of the fare. If canceled less than four hours before departure, passengers get no refund.
Many passengers lose their fare due to delays, emergencies, or bad weather. The Railways’ new system addresses this problem, making travel more flexible.
How the New System Works
Passengers can log in to their IRCTC account and pick a new travel date or another train, as long as seats are available.
The system will show the fare difference, which can be paid online to confirm the new ticket. There is no need to cancel the old ticket or buy a new one separately.
Similar Systems Worldwide
This approach is already in use in other countries. In Japan, the Japan Rail Pass lets passengers change travel dates without penalties.
In Europe, many trains offer flexi-tickets for date changes or refunds. In Britain, the Anytime Ticket allows travel on any train without restriction.
