New scheme: Confirmed ticket on next train for waitlisted passengers

The idea is to accommodate waitlisted passengers into another train on the same route subject to availability.

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For the first six months, the option will be available only to those who book tickets online and for Mail or Express trains.

“We will assess the passenger feedback and, based on the assessment, will extend the scheme to other routes as well,” said a Railway spokesman.

At no extra cost, passengers booking online will be presented with a menu of alternate trains on same route if the train has waitlisted tickets.

The Railways aims to achieve the twin objectives of providing confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and to ensure optimal utilisation of available accommodation by this scheme.

If a passenger opts for the Vikalp scheme while booking tickets online, he/she will get an SMS alert about confirmed accommodation in an alternative train.