Boarding point change

smcgrath12

As everybody probably is aware, you cannot put a different boarding point on e-tickets (or i-tickets). You can only book FROM to TO. I was going through:

http://www.southernrailway.org/com/a...eservation.asp

website, and it says that you can change the boarding point at:

1. At the original station.
2. At any computerized reservation center.

Can anyone confirm that no. 2 is valid?

ba9rn

Not sure about changing the boarding point, but you certainly can specify a different boarding point when you book, so your first sentence is incorrect.

Go to http://www.irctc.co.in/ and select help/user guide/e-ticket
Look at the 4th screen shot in the help text.

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smcgrath12

I hear you. But if you try to actually book using a different boarding station, it won't allow you do it, unless that has changed recently.

ba9rn

Yes I have, and yes it does work. Try it! It will only accept the boarding point edit at the point shown in the help text (see my first post). You have to click on the little train icon - you then get a list of all the stations that your chosen train will stop at. Just pick one, and it goes in the box!

I have not attempted to change the boarding point though. Maybe an email to care@irctc.co.in would clear that up. They do answer emails (but take a few days to do so!).

smcgrath12

Thanks for your reply. I am getting excited about this. Just to confirm, you have actually booked a confirmed ticket (meaning you went through the payment stage and have a confirmed ticket), with a different boarding point? Because when I last tried it, I could change the boarding point, but when I tried to actually pay for the ticket, it errored out.

ba9rn

That's affirmative! The error on payment is something you will get occasionally, regardless of the type of ticket/board point. This is because the system leaves the IRCTC site, enters the banking site, then returns to IRCTC to give you the ticket. Any of these can fail and the transaction rolls back (ie. you are not charged). But it is a mine field!

When you do have an e-ticket in your hand you will get a huge sense of achievement! They even display a 'congratulations' message, as if acknowledging the pains you went through to get the ticket!

smcgrath12

And there is another thing. When you try to change the BP, it shows this in red:

"You will be allotted berths earmarked for boarding point.Check for availability of berths from boarding point before proceeding"

This kinda defeats the purpose of changing BP. The only reason to change BP is to use a different quota from a different station if the quota from BP is full. Why should railways care if I pay from A to C, but I want to board at B (somewhere between A and C). They are getting their full revenue.

steven_ber

Wow, I just tried it, it seems to work (I thought it wasn't allowed).


You have to click on the little train to the right of the white box. (see below)



Then a list of stations will appear.



I tried Mysore to Chennai in Chair Class, so only the Shatabdi appeared, only giving the option of Mysore or Bangalore as a boarding point as the train doesn't call anywhere else.

Thanks ba9rn, always good to learn something new.

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Train information.

steven_ber

You can check for availability on the previous page before you try to book.

smcgrath12

Yes, I could. But again, if you need a use a quota from BP, than there is no reason to pay extra to get a seat from a different station. I need to try that and see what happens and confirm that it really uses a quota from BP and not from the FROM station.

steven_ber

I clicked on 'Bangalore' then clicked 'go' and got the following....

steven_ber

Very good point.

BTW what are the details of the train you're trying to book?

smcgrath12

I have already booked my tickets. So just playing around. I usually book for the Bombay-Vadodara stretch on WR. I will post furthur details when I play with some bookings.

Coming back to my original question, do you if no. 2 is allowed?

ba9rn

I suggest you email care@irctc.co.in

There does not appear to be any automated way to make that change after a ticket is booked. But it may be possible by email. I don't see why not.

steven_ber

First, I'm not 100% sure of the rules.

2. At any computerized reservation center, will be correct if any changes are allowed.

Changes are probibly allowed for I-tickets as you will have an actual ticket in your hand.

I somehow doubt any changes are allowed on E-tickets as you will not be holding a standard ticket.