Section 54: Exhibition and surrender of passes and tickets

Every passenger shall, on demand by any railway servant authorised in this behalf, present his pass or ticket to such railway servant for examination during the journey or at the end of the journey and surrender such ticket–

(a) at the end of the journey, or

(b) if such ticket is issued for a specified period, on the expiration of such period.

Simplified Explanation

Section 54 of the Railways Act, 1989, mandates that passengers must show their railway passes or tickets to authorized railway staff upon demand during their journey and surrender them as required. This provision ensures effective control over ticketing, prevents misuse, and helps in maintaining orderly travel.

Key Provisions:

1. Exhibition of Pass or Ticket:
   • The first part of Section 54 requires every passenger to present their pass or ticket to a railway servant who is authorized to inspect tickets during the journey.
   • This provision allows railway staff (e.g., ticket inspectors) to verify that passengers are traveling with valid tickets, ensuring compliance with ticketing regulations.
   • The passenger must show the ticket when asked, whether it’s during the journey or at the end. The purpose is to prevent fraudulent or unauthorized travel and maintain order.
2. Surrender of Ticket or Pass:
   • The second part of Section 54 focuses on the surrender of the ticket or pass:
     • At the End of the Journey: If the ticket is for a one-way journey, the passenger must surrender it at the end of the journey. This ensures that the ticket is properly accounted for and prevents the reuse or sale of tickets.
     • If Issued for a Specified Period: If the ticket or pass is issued for a specific period (such as a seasonal pass), the passenger must surrender the ticket when that period expires. This helps ensure that the ticket is not used beyond its intended validity.

Application and Context:

• Ticket Inspection: The provision ensures that railway authorities have the right to check tickets at any point during the journey, which helps in identifying any illegal or unauthorized travel. The inspection could take place at any station, onboard the train, or at the end of the journey. Passengers must cooperate with these checks by providing their tickets or passes upon demand.
• Prevention of Misuse: By requiring passengers to surrender tickets or passes, Section 54 prevents the reuse of tickets, which could otherwise lead to overbooking or unauthorized travel. It helps the railways manage the allocation of resources like seats and berths more effectively.
• Regulating Periodic Passes: For passengers with seasonal or periodic tickets, this section ensures that the tickets are surrendered once the validity period expires. It prevents passengers from continuing to use a pass that is no longer valid, which helps maintain the integrity of the system and ensures that passes are only used for the duration for which they were issued.

Practical Examples:

• Example 1: A passenger traveling from Delhi to Mumbai with a one-way ticket must surrender the ticket at the end of their journey at Mumbai station. This ensures that the ticket is returned to the railway authorities, preventing its reuse.
• Example 2: A passenger holding a 30-day seasonal pass for travel between two cities must surrender the pass once the 30-day period expires. If they attempt to use the pass beyond the valid period, they would be in violation of the law.
• Example 3: A train ticket inspector requests to see a passenger’s ticket while traveling. The passenger must present the ticket to the inspector for verification, failing which they could be penalized for not complying with the law.

Conclusion:

Section 54 of the Railways Act, 1989, establishes the requirement for passengers to present their tickets or passes for inspection and to surrender them after the journey or when the validity period expires. This provision helps prevent unauthorized travel, ensures proper ticketing management, and upholds the integrity of the railway system. Compliance with this section is essential for both passengers and the railway authorities to ensure fair and efficient travel.