If you are one who travels frequently by train for religious trips or excursions, you can now book tickets for these coaches online, as per directions issued by the Railway Board. 

The Railway Board has issued a circular which states that the booking of special trains, coaches, saloons on full tariff rate (FTR) will now be done through a “single window booking system” of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). 

“Henceforth, any individual or party seeking to book trains/coaches on FTR shall approach the IRCTC and the IRCTC will book trains/coaches online on behalf of the individual or party”, said the circular issued earlier this month.

In the current procedure being followed to book such trains, one needs to go to the chief booking supervisor or station master of the station from where the journey is beginning and submit a written request with the journey details for FTR booking. 

Officials pointed out that the process of depositing money and issuing of receipt with a unique FTR number printed on it was long-winded, and hence they decided to change it. 

These special trains or coaches are mostly booked by: travel agencies taking parties for religious tours, schools taking students on educational study tours, MNCs taking employees out for excursions and also individuals travelling with a large contingent. 

However, such tickets will now be costlier. Besides a 30% service charge on such bookings, a charge of 5% on the total fare shall be levied. 

As per the railway stipulation, a security deposit of Rs 50,000 has been fixed per coach and a minimum of 18 coaches will be charged for such special trains. 

The Board added that the entire transaction will be digital in the new online system.