Railway Board has cut down the ARP for train bookings from 120 days to 60 days from the proposed date November 1, 2024. This change is expected to enhance the real journey experience and ticket accessibility as well. The decision comes with the backdrop of new findings showing that 21% of passengers who booked 61 to 120 days ahead of travel canceled their bookings, and 5% neither canceled nor traveled, thereby occupying reserved berths.
The Railway Ministry has pointed out that slashing down the ARP will enable the Indian Railways to plan for special during peak seasons by managing with cancellations and no-shows. Besides, this change is likely to decrease an incidence of tickets being hoarded leading to many real clients getting access to tickets.
However, some of the other express trains running during the day such as Taj Express and Gomti Express will still come under short advance reservation period. There are no changes to the current 365-day ARP limit for foreign tourists. Bookings done earlier for travel up to December 31, 2022, under the initial 120-day ARP in effect before October 31, 2024, remain honored, while passengers can cancel the remaining years with over 60 days’ notice.Express trains
This change reverts to the pre-ARP, 60-day reservation window that was in force before January 1, 2015 when the ARP was increased from 60 days to 120 days. The new policy is as a result of continuous processes to enhance easy planning and even increase theID of the real demand for the rail travel in India. In the new 60-day period, passengers are urged to book their reservations early to help ensure that accommodations are available.
