In a move at reducing the last-minute cancellations and improving seat utilisation, the Indian Railways has introduced stricter ticket cancellation rules for Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and Amrit Bharat II trains.
No Refunds For The Cancellation On Vande Bharat Trains
Now, the Passengers who cancel a confirmed ticket less than eight hours before the train’s scheduled departure will not receive any refund as per these new norms.
The Railway Ministry has already notified the revised rules on January 16 through amendments to the Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Ticket and Refund of Fare) Rules, 2015.
Please note that these changes are applicable specifically to premium trains that operate with a 100 per cent confirmed berth policy which sets them apart from regular mail and express services.
For instance, the cancellation charges for Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat II trains are now stricter compared to other trains considering the latest norms.
Basically, the key change is the complete removal of refunds for late cancellations.
It appears that the passengers now need to plan their travel carefully, as cancelling too close to departure can result in a total loss of ticket fare.
Key Highlights From New Cancellation Charges
First of all, no refund will be provided if the ticket is cancelled within 8 hours of departure.
The passengers will get a 25% cancellation charge if cancelled more than 72 hours before departure.
It was different earlier as even premium train passengers could get a partial refund if they cancelled up to four hours before departure, but that provision no longer applies to these trains.
Why Would This Happen?
These trains operate on a 100 per cent confirmed berth policy, unlike conventional trains that allow waitlisted and RAC passengers, said the senior railway officials.
Before this implementation, when a confirmed ticket is cancelled at the last minute, the berth often goes unused, leading to revenue loss and inefficient capacity use.
These latest norms are meant to discourage casual or last-minute cancellations and ensure that available berths are fully utilised.
After this newest implementation, the passengers travelling on Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat II trains should be extra cautious while booking tickets.
This simply implies that any uncertainty in travel plans could lead to a financial loss if cancellation is delayed.
It would be a good idea to finalise their plans early and cancel tickets well in advance if required, the Railways advised.
On the Railways side, this move is part of a broader effort to streamline operations and improve efficiency on premium train services.
