- Railway pass holders can upgrade class on premium trains.
- Pay only fare difference for higher class journey.
- Benefits Privilege, Retirement, and Widow Pass holders.
Indian Railways has clarified the rules allowing serving employees, retired personnel and eligible family members to travel in a higher class on premium trains by paying only the difference in fare. The facility will be available to holders of Privilege Pass (PP), Post Retirement Complimentary Pass (PRCP) and Widow Pass (WP).
Under the revised clarification, eligible passengers will not have to purchase an entirely new ticket to upgrade their journey. Instead, they can pay the fare difference between the class covered by their pass and the higher class in which they wish to travel.
The facility covers premium services such as Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi Express trains.
Railway Board Clears Long-Standing Confusion Over Higher-Class Travel
There had been uncertainty over whether railway pass holders could travel in a class above their prescribed entitlement on premium trains by paying the additional fare.
The Railway Board has now clarified the position following consultations with its Commercial Directorate. The clarification has been issued under the relevant provisions of the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986.
The latest directive also supersedes previous instructions concerning passes and Privilege Ticket Orders (PTOs).
Which Railway Pass Holders Can Upgrade Their Travel Class?
The facility will benefit holders of three categories of railway passes:
1. Privilege Pass (PP): Serving railway employees and their eligible dependents receive these passes to travel on trains according to their prescribed entitlements.
2. Post Retirement Complimentary Pass (PRCP): These passes are provided to eligible retired railway employees, subject to the applicable service and retirement conditions.
3. Widow Pass (WP): These passes are issued to eligible family members of deceased railway employees under the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules.
How Much Extra Fare Will Pass Holders Have To Pay?
Under the clarified arrangement, passengers upgrading their travel class will only have to pay the difference between the fare of their entitled class and the upgraded class.
For example, if a passenger holds a pass entitling them to travel in a particular class but wishes to travel in a higher class, they will have to pay the applicable additional fare rather than purchase a full ticket.
The actual amount will depend on the train, journey and classes selected.
CRIS Asked To Update Railway Reservation Software
In order to have the new instructions implemented, the Railway Board has asked the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) to update the e-pass module accordingly.
Necessary technical modifications will also be made in the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and Human Resource Management System (HRMS).
The clarification is likely to benefit serving railway employees, pensioners and entitled family members who want to get an upgrade in their journey class while availing of free or privilege passes.
How To Apply For Privilege, Retirement And Widow Passes?
The three categories of passes are issued under the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986. Their eligibility and application procedures differ.
Privilege Pass (PP)
Privilege Passes are issued to serving railway employees and their eligible family members. The number of passes available annually depends on the employee's category, grade and applicable railway rules.
Employees can apply through the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) portal or the prescribed departmental process. The application is verified by the concerned railway officials before the pass is issued.
Post Retirement Complimentary Pass (PRCP)
Eligible retired railway employees can receive complimentary passes after retirement, subject to the prescribed service conditions. Employees who complete at least 20 years of qualifying regular service are generally eligible under the applicable rules.
The annual number of passes depends on the employee's category. Retired personnel can apply through the HRMS portal or approach their last working railway division or office for assistance.
Widow Pass (WP)
Widow Passes are issued to eligible family members of deceased railway employees under the applicable rules. The entitlement and eligibility of dependents are determined according to the employee's service status and the relevant provisions.
Applicants may approach the concerned railway office or use the available HRMS facility. Documents such as the death certificate, Pension Payment Order (PPO) and family details may be required for verification.