Thrissur: The Railway is likely to allow unreserved journey in trains from June onwards. It is assumed that the decision to stop the second sitting reservation in general coaches after May 31 is part of this move.
The reservation from June will be stopped by the Southern Railway. The Railway has been receiving many complaints about the difficulties faced by regular passengers due to reservation. Passenger trains and MEMU services are not resumed as only reservation travel is allowed at present.
However, there is lack of clarity in this matter across the country. The Northern Railway conducts Passenger and MEMU services by charging express ticket rates. There is no need for reservation too. High COVID transmission rate is indicated as a reason for not resuming Passenger train services in Kerala.
According to unofficial reports, Passenger services will resume only if test positivity rate comes below 5 percent. The reservation was stopped expecting that the disease transmission will reduce by June. Due to mandatory reservation, the regular passengers are facing huge financial liability.
The Railway assumes that the virtual remote booking system which was launched targeting these passengers is a huge success. This facility allows the passengers to reserve during travel. This has been implemented in 20 trains in the state. It is learnt that the Railway is likely to continue virtual remote booking even after allowing unreserved journey.
