Ahmedabad, 15 May 2013

The Western Railway has issued a guideline for passengers who book e-tickets through agents. According to that, in order to educate people who book e-tickets through agent outlets and also to bring about an awareness and eliminate cases of ERS tampering, overcharging etc. the following dos & don’ts need to be followed :-

DOs for booking e-tickets through Agents

-Check if it is an authorized agent outlet

-The details of authorized agent outlets are available on IRCTC website www.irctc.co.in

-Verify that the photo Id and the authorization certificate of the agent is prominently displayed at the agent outlet.

-Fill up the booking/cancellation request slip for booking/cancellation of the e-ticket

-Always insist on your mobile number being fed into the system correctly.

-An SMS with details of your booking including fare and service charge will be received on the given mobile number, from IRCTC immediately as confirmation of booking.

-This SMS serves as a valid ticket which can even be shown to the TTE along with proof of identity during travel. Printout of ticket is not mandatory.

-If printout is generated, ensure that name of the agent outlet booking the ticket along with address, contact number and name of Principal Agent are printed on the e-ticket.

-Insist on a receipt for all bookings/cancellations.

-One of the following proof of identity in original is a must while travelling (Voter Identity Card/Passport/PAN Card/Aadhaar Card (UID)/Driving License/Photo ID Card issued by the Central/State Govt./Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized school/college for their students/Nationalised Bank Pass Book with photograph/Credit Card with laminated photograph).

-E-tickets can be cancelled through the same agent outlet without additional service charge for cancellation.

DONT’s for booking e-tickets through Agents

-Do not pay more than the approved service charges which are applicable per e-ticket irrespective of number of passengers on the ticket.

-For travel by AC classes, IRCTC service charge is Rs.20/- and Agent service charge is Rs.20/-. For sleeper class and second sitting class, the charges are Rs.10/- each for IRCTC and -Agent service charge. In both the cases, Gateway charges as applicable will be added plus Service Tax on IRCTC Service Charges.

-There are no additional charges for printing of tickets or cancellation of tickets.

-If the agent demands more than the prescribed service charges, complaint may be lodged at agentcomplaint@irctc.co.in (011-23745962) or care@irctc.co.in (011-39340000)

-Do not buy e-tickets from agents during 8.00 am to 12 noon.

-The website www.irctc.co.in is open exclusively for individual users from 8.00 am to 12 noon.

-If anyone is found traveling with Advanced Reservation Period/Tatkal tickets booked by unauthorized persons/touts between the above period, the ticket is liable to be cancelled and penal action may be initiated under the Railways Act.