Chennai: In a major step to improve passenger comfort, Southern Railway has announced that bed sheets and pillows will soon be available to passengers travelling in non-AC sleeper coaches on a paid basis. This new linen service for non-AC coaches will begin on January 1, marking a major shift from the current system where linen is supplied only in AC coaches.

According to Southern Railway, the introduction of chargeable bedroll services in non-AC sleeper coaches is expected to benefit thousands of passengers, especially during the monsoon and winter seasons when demand for clean and warm bedding increases.

Affordable pricing for bed sheets and pillows

Under the new scheme, passengers can purchase:

Complete bedroll set (1 bed sheet + 1 pillow + pillow cover): ₹50

Bed sheet only: ₹20

Pillow with cover: ₹30

The pricing is aimed at keeping the non-AC sleeper coach linen service affordable and accessible for all passengers.

Service to roll out in 10 express trains

Southern Railway confirmed that the bed sheet and pillow service will initially be launched in 10 major express trains originating from Chennai. These include:

  • Chennai-Mettupalayam Nilgiri Superfast Express
  • Chennai-Mangalore Superfast Express
  • Chennai Egmore-Mannargudi Express
  • Chennai Egmore-Tiruchendur Superfast Express
  • Chennai-Palakkad Express
  • Chennai Egmore-Sengottai Silambu Superfast Express
  • Tambaram-Nagercoil Superfast Express
  • Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Superfast Express
  • Chennai-Alleppey Superfast Express
  • Chennai Egmore-Mangalore Express

With the inclusion of these trains, Southern Railway aims to bring improved passenger amenities to some of the busiest non-AC routes in the region.

Successful pilot project

This initiative follows an overwhelmingly positive response to a pilot project conducted under the New Innovative Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme (NINFRIS) during 2023–24. Under the system, a private contractor will manage the procurement, mechanised washing, packing, loading, distribution, and storage of the bedrolls.

Southern Railway estimates that the non-AC bedroll service will generate ₹28.27 lakh in revenue for the Chennai Division over the next three years, while simultaneously enhancing the overall travel experience.