With a view to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilisation of available accommodation, a scheme Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme(ATAS) called “VIKALP” has been conceptualised and is to be introduced 1.11.2015.
Initially this scheme will be available only for the tickets booked through internet (E-ticket) as a pilot project for six months.
More over initially this scheme would be provided on Mail/ Express Trains running on two sectors only namely Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Jammu sectors of Northern Railway.
In this scheme, wait listed passengers of a train will be given option for getting confirmed accommodation in alternate trains.
Based on the feedback, this scheme will be extended to PRS counter bookings and also on other journey sectors.
This is a major passenger friendly move to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers in alternate trains.
MAIN FEATURES
The Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS) is presently being launched under the name “Vikalp” on pilot basis only for the tickets booked through internet on two sectors i.e. Delhi-Jammu and Delhi-Lucknow sectors. Based on the feedback it will be provided on PRS and also on other sectors.
The scheme is presently being implemented only across Mail/Express trains of same category. No extra charges shall be taken from passenger or any refund shall be provided for difference of fare.
The scheme is applicable to all waiting list passengers irrespective of booking quota and concession. In pilot phase the scheme will be available on few pre-designated trains in the above sectors only.
Under this scheme, waiting list passengers will give choice to opt for ATAS scheme. ATAS opted passengers who remain fully waitlisted after charting will only be considered for allotment in the alternate train.
Fully WL passengers opted for ATAS should check PNR status after charting. Either all passengers of a PNR or none will be transferred to alternate train in same class. The passenger can be considered for shifting to a train leaving from any station amongst the cluster of stations defined by Railways based on the convenience of the passengers to a station serving the destination station on the same analogy.
The ATAS opted passengers who have been provided accommodation in the alternate train will not figure in the waitlisted charts of their original train. A separate list of passengers transferred in alternate train will be pasted along with the CONFIRMED and WAITLIST charts.
The passenger allotted alternate accommodation can travel in the alternate train on authority of original ticket. Waitlisted passengers of original train shall not be allowed to board the original train if allotted alternate accommodation. If found travelling, they will be treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly.
Passengers once provided alternate accommodation in alternate train will be treated as normal passengers in alternate train and will be eligible for upgradation. In rare situations, passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation might get dropped/re-allotted in alternate train due to last minute change in composition of the alternate train at the time of chart preparation.
