Service charges for booking online railway tickets were cancelled from November 2016 i.e. after the announcement of demonetisation to encourage people to book tickets online. However, it is all set to be introduced on online booking platforms.
Also Read: One Card To Travel Via Public Transport In Mumbai To Soon Become Reality
Prior to November 2016, the service charges for sleeper class and AC Compartments were ₹20 and ₹40 respectively. According to reports, the money was used by Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to maintain its e-ticketing system. The Ministry of Finance had advised the railway authorities to discontinue service charges as the operation cost would be reimbursed by the Ministry. However, On July 19, 2019, the Ministry of Finance informed IRCTC that the reimbursement of operation cost was a 'temporary arrangement in a special context for a limited period of time'.
The IRCTC website was launched to curb the practice of booking tickets illegally by a third person. Taking into account the above factors, IRCTC will now charge extra for booking tickets online and the exact prices are yet to be announced.
Also Read: Railways Steps In To Solve The Stone-Pelting Problem
Share
Tweet
