Section 50: Supply of tickets on payment of fare

(1) Any person desirous of travelling on a railway shall, upon payment of the fare, be supplied with a ticket by a railway servant or an agent authorised in this behalf and such ticket shall contain the following particulars, namely:–

(i) the date of issue;

(ii) the class of carriage;

(iii) the place from and the place to which it is issued; and

(iv) the amount of the fare.

(2) Every railway administration shall display the hours during which booking windows at a station shall be kept open for the issue of tickets to passengers.

(3) The particulars required to be specified on a ticket under clauses (ii) and (iii) of sub-section (1) shall,–

(a) if it is for the lowest class of carriage, be set forth in Hindi, English and the regional language commonly in use at the place of issue of the ticket; and

(b) if it is for any other class of carriage, be set forth in Hindi and English:

Provided that where it is not feasible to specify such particulars in any such language due to mechanisation or any other reason, the Central Government may exempt such particulars being specified in that language.

Simplified Explanation

Section 50 of the Railways Act, 1989 governs the process of issuing tickets to passengers who wish to travel on a railway. This section ensures that passengers receive a ticket with essential details upon payment of the fare, which serves as proof of purchase and authorizes travel. It also sets standards for displaying information about the ticketing process and language requirements on the tickets.

Detailed Explanation:

1. Issuance of Tickets on Payment of Fare:
   • Subsection (1) establishes that any individual who wishes to travel on the railway must pay the fare for the desired journey, after which a ticket will be issued by a railway servant or an authorized agent. The ticket serves as the formal record of the transaction and contains the following essential details:
     • Date of Issue: This indicates the exact date when the ticket was issued, which is crucial for confirming the travel date.
     • Class of Carriage: This specifies the type of train class for which the ticket is valid, such as First Class, Second Class, Sleeper Class, etc.
     • Places of Travel: The starting station (from where the passenger is boarding) and the destination station (to where the passenger is traveling).
     • Fare Amount: This is the price that the passenger has paid for the ticket, indicating the cost of the journey between the specified stations and class of travel.
2. Display of Booking Window Hours:
   • Subsection (2) mandates that every railway administration must display the hours during which the booking windows at stations will be open for the issue of tickets. This ensures that passengers know when they can purchase tickets at the station and plan their visits accordingly. It improves the convenience for passengers in accessing ticketing services.
3. Language Requirements on Tickets:
   • Subsection (3) deals with the language requirements for the details that appear on the tickets, particularly for the class of carriage and the route:
     • For lowest class of carriage (such as General Class or Sleeper Class), the ticket must specify the class and route in three languages:
       • Hindi
       • English
       • The regional language commonly spoken in the area where the ticket is issued. This ensures accessibility for local passengers who may not be familiar with Hindi or English.
     • For tickets issued for other classes of carriage (such as First Class or AC classes), the ticket must specify the class and route in Hindi and English only.
     • Exception Clause: If it is not feasible to print the particulars in the required language(s) due to factors such as mechanization (use of automated systems) or other technical limitations, the Central Government has the authority to exempt certain language requirements.

Why is this Section Important?

• Passenger Clarity: Section 50 ensures that every ticket contains all the key details needed for passengers to confirm their travel plans, including the journey date, departure and destination stations, class of service, and the fare paid. This improves clarity for passengers and reduces confusion.
• Transparency in Ticketing: The section sets clear guidelines for what details must appear on the ticket, ensuring that passengers are fully informed of the terms of their travel. This transparency helps prevent disputes and allows passengers to easily verify their ticket details.
• Accessibility: By requiring the information to be displayed in Hindi, English, and regional languages, this section ensures that passengers from different linguistic backgrounds have equal access to the details on the ticket, promoting inclusive communication and reducing barriers for local passengers.
• Operational Convenience: The requirement to display booking hours at stations is a practical measure that makes it easier for passengers to know when they can purchase tickets, improving the overall convenience and efficiency of railway services.

Legal and Practical Implications:

• Uniformity in Ticketing: Section 50 standardizes the ticketing process across all stations, ensuring that all passengers receive tickets with consistent information, no matter where they are traveling from.
• Regulatory Compliance: The section allows for flexibility in cases where technical challenges, such as automation systems or resource limitations, prevent the full display of language-specific details. The role of the Central Government in granting exemptions ensures that the system remains adaptable and efficient.
• Customer Service: By ensuring that passengers receive accurate information about their travel on the ticket and know the operating hours for ticket purchasing, Section 50 contributes to better customer service and helps railway administrations maintain smooth operations at stations.

Conclusion:

Section 50 of the Railways Act, 1989 provides a clear framework for the issuance of tickets to passengers, ensuring that they receive a proper record of their journey details, including fare, class of carriage, and route. It also promotes linguistic accessibility, by specifying language requirements for ticket information. By setting standards for ticket issuance and ensuring transparency in the ticketing process, this section enhances the overall experience for passengers and ensures that the railway system operates in a fair and efficient manner.