The Member (M&BD),
Railway Board,
Rail Bhavan,
New Delhi.
Sub: Provision for booking of higher-class accommodation in premium trains (Rajdhani, Tejas, Shatabdi, Vande Bharat Express) on Railway Pass/P.T.O. by paying the difference in fare — reg.
Dear Sir,
The All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) wishes to draw your kind attention to a matter of significant concern affecting a large number of Railway employees and pensioners. We request your sympathetic consideration and favourable action on the issue described below, keeping in view the welfare-oriented approach of the Railway Administration.
At present, Railway employees and pensioners are entitled to book reserved accommodation on the basis of their Privilege/Complimentary Passes and PTOs, as per the class of entitlement. They are also permitted to upgrade to the next higher class in ordinary Mail/Express and Superfast trains by paying the applicable difference in fares. However, this important and long-standing facility is not extended to premium trains such as Rajdhani, Tejas, Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat Express, thereby causing considerable inconvenience to serving employees, retired staff, and their dependent family members.
It has been observed that Railway employees are able to book seats/berths only in 3rd AC in Rajdhani Express, where they are frequently allotted middle or upper berths. This poses serious difficulties, especially for senior citizen pensioners, women, pregnant passengers, and those with health issues. Availability under Pass Quota in 2nd AC is extremely limited, and 1st AC is not admissible under the current Pass/PTO entitlement categories. Even when employees or pensioners are willing to pay the difference in fare for an upgrade to ensure a safer and more comfortable journey, particularly in medical emergencies, unavoidable circumstances, or long-distance travel, there is no provision enabling them to do so in premium trains.
In view of the above genuine hardships, AIRF earnestly urges your esteemed office to kindly review the existing policy and issue necessary instructions to extend the facility of booking higher-class accommodation in premium trains on Pass/PTO by paying the difference in fare, at par with the facility already available in other Mail/Express trains. Such a measure would not only be welfare-oriented but also greatly appreciated by the Railway fraternity.
We further solicit your personal intervention so that the confidence of Railway employees and pensioners in the compassionate, just, and people-friendly policies of the Railway Administration is strengthened. Granting this long-pending facility will also contribute significantly to maintaining harmonious and constructive industrial relations across the Indian Railways.
An early and favorable decision in this matter will be deeply appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary
Copy to: General Secretaries, All Affiliated Unions of AIRF — For information.
