The Indian Railways announced on Wednesday that it is opening bookings for 200 regular passenger trains. The bookings will commence from 10:00 am on Thursday (Today) and could be done wither through the website or App.
The 200 special trains include both air—conditioned and non- AC coaches. Earlier, a statement released by railways said that only non- AC passenger trains would run.
Online tickets can be booked up to two hours before departure and the tickets can be bought only 30 days in advance.
Reservation against cancellation (RAC) in which two people share the same berth, and waitlisted tickets will be available. However, the waitlisted tickets which are not confirmed even after the passengers’ charts are prepared, cannot board trains. Food stalls will be open in all stations but only takeaway will be permitted.
Already, shramik trains have been running since May 1 to take migrants home. Special AC trains have been running since May 12. This is the latest development.
According to NDTV’s report, “The decision to run these passenger trains also comes days after the centre extended the coronavirus lockdown for a third time but lifted the bar on bus service and other public transport. The final decision in terms of implementation was left to the states.”
Passengers will be screened for the novel coronavirus before boarding. Only asymptomatic passengers will be able to board the train and travel. Symptomatic passengers will get full refund for their tickets.
Railways Department also instructs people to wear masks and install contact- tracing app Arogya Setu in their personal devices.
As per media reports, there are no concessions available for differently abled and 11 other categories. It also added that blankets, linen and curtains will not be provided in the train.
