THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Railways are not providing overnight berth to passengers with sleeper class reservation after allowing RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) overbooking. This is done on Saturdays and Sundays when there are less cancellations.

Mangalore - Thiruvananthapuram trains will have 100 RAC tickets on Saturdays and Sundays even if reserved ten days in advance. People buy RAC tickets hoping to get a berth through cancellation. Additional income from a coach is earned by charging sleeper charge and carrying 100 passengers. There are allegations that some officials of the divisional office are doing this to make excessive profits.

TTE was also not available to allocate sleeper for RAC tickets on Maveli Express (16604) returning from Thiruvananthapuram at 7.25 on October 7. On reaching Ernakulam the passengers searched for TTE in other compartments but could not find him. Then when they contacted the phone number of RPF, the reply was that if there is a security problem, the police can be sent to the next station. Another suggestion was to call 139 and inform. After dialing 139 and entering the PNR number, the call got disconnected.

How to provide non-existent sleeper tickets?

Those who booked RAC ticket in Mangalore Express (16348) from Mangalore on October 8 also did not get berth at night. TTEs asked the question how to provide non existent sleeper tickets. The overbooking spree comes after the suspension of existing benefits, including for senior citizens. Meanwhile, an official in the divisional office informed that 100 RAC is being allotted to the passengers to get at least a seat as per the demand of the people's representatives from Malabar. Patients and elderly people coming for treatment in Thiruvananthapuram will be more on Maveli and Mangalore Express on Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram route.