Decision against over-the-counter tickets to hit 8,000 travellers in state
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Kochi: The decision by the Railways to stop issuing over the counter tickets for sleeper and air-conditioned coaches is likely to hit the travel comfort of nearly 8,000 short-distance commuters daily in the state. The decision has been taken even as the railway divisions in the state are facing a shortage of nearly 150 TTEs (Travelling Ticket Examiners).
“As per figures, nearly 8,000 commuters used to avail higher class tickets for short-distance travel, out of which almost 7,000 opt for sleeper class tickets daily. The pressure will increase during pilgrimage season like Sabarimala. The decision will lead to an unbearable level of overcrowding in general coaches. The other will be regarding travel by elderly and sick people,” said a senior divisional officer.
More worrying for the commuters is the practical difficulty involved from hence forth to travel in a higher class, as they have to obtain prior permission of the TTEs.
“As many as 150 TTE posts are lying vacant in the division which means less ticket checkers will be available in every train, while a large number of commuters will have to wait to get permission to travel by sleeper class. Open ticket holders travelling in reserved compartments is also a risk for us if the vigilance squad come across such cases.
Currently we man a maximum of three coaches only tho-ugh we are required to cover six to seven coac-hes due to the staff shortage,” said a TTE.
From May 1 onwards, short-distance commuters were permitted to board only “de-reserved” coaches even if they pay sleeper class charges. Now it has been decided not to sell unreserved tickets for higher classes through the railway counters.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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