India’s railway system is the fourth-largest in the world. It manages a staggering amount of seat and berth reservations per day. There are many sorts of quotas and reservations on Indian Railways’ trains. It is because all travelers shall experience a hassle-free and comfortable trip. Indian Railways has rules for booking lower berths in the trains,
Senior Citizen Not Allotted A Lower Berth
Recently, a journalist posted on social media about how she was not allotted a lower berth while booking a ticket for a senior citizen. Several individuals expressed their support for her, sharing their own experiences with the same problem. Whereas others explained to her that she should have booked the tickets under ‘Senior Citizen Quota’ instead of ‘General Quota’. The journalist wrote her post in Hindi, which makes it to,
“I booked 3 tickets for Patna-Delhi on Train no. 12309 for October 10. 1 senior citizen and 2 women are traveling. 2 lower selected (sic) but got 2 upper and 1 middle berth. While there are more than 200 seats available in the train.”
Indian Railway Responds
Railway Seva responded to the post in the comment section, writing,
“In the computerized reservation system of Indian Railways, there is a provision for allotting lower berth automatically to senior citizens and female passengers above the age of 45 and pregnant women. It is, however, subject to availability of such lower berths at the time of booking.”
It is, however, subject to availability of such lower berths at the time of booking.
In the trains also, ticket checking staff is authorised to allot lower berths falling vacant to such senior citizens who have been allotted middle/upper berth due to non-availability of lower berths at the time of booking.
It is also informed that at the time of booking reserved tickets through internet, there is a provision to opt for booking only if lower berth is available. In such case ticket shall be booked only if lower berth is available.”
Users Reaction
One of the users wrote, “She booked in the general quote and not the senior citizen quote.” When you book under the general quota, it is allocated at random and not lower, though age is input, so booking tickets for more than 7 years never faced a problem; it’s just a lack of clarity.”
Another one wrote, “You have to select the senior citizen quota.”
A third one expressed, “This is nothing new. Now the Railways is selling seats like businessmen. What difference does it make? Whether the passenger gets the facility or not, the Railways is still taking the money.”
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