Train travel without ticket goes unabated

Jaswant Shetra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 9

In absence of regular checking by the Railways staff, many people commute on trains without tickets causing loss to the government exchequer.

According to sources, mostly daily passengers travel without tickets between various stations on passenger trains. The practice of travelling without tickets is regular in trains running between Ludhiana and Ferozepur.

“Some daily commuters have got passes. Still, many people prefer to travel without tickets as they know how to avoid ticket checkers in trains,” the sources added.

“Many people travel between Ludhiana and Moga or Ludhiana and Jagraon everyday. Majority of them travel without tickets,” said another person familiar with the practice.

“While travelling from Jagraon to Ludhiana he/she calls his/her friend travelling from Moga to Ludhiana to enquire if there is any ticket checker on board the train. In case there is a ticket checker, then he/she buys a ticket otherwise travels free,” he added.

“The Railways staff checks trains regularly. Passengers who are caught travelling without tickets are penalised. A heavy fine, which is 10 times of the normal fare, is charged from such commuters,” said SR Salaria, Ludhiana railway station superintendent.

Ticket checking would be increased further if required to stop the illegal practice of travelling without paying fare, he added.