In train travel, RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation. It's a type of ticket that allows a passenger to travel on a train, but with a specific condition regarding seating or sleeping accommodation.
Understanding RAC in Railway
As the name suggests, Reservation Against Cancellation means your booking is confirmed, but it's against a potential cancellation. This means you are permitted to board the train and have a confirmed spot, but unlike a fully confirmed ticket which guarantees a specific berth (bed), an RAC ticket does not.
The provided reference clearly states: "RAC is an acronym for Reservation Against Cancellation. An RAC ticket allows a passenger to travel in a train but does not guarantee a berth." This highlights the core concept of RAC – confirmed travel permission without an assured individual sleeping berth from the start.
What Does RAC Mean for the Traveller?
For a traveller holding an RAC ticket, here's what it typically means:
- Guaranteed Entry: You are allowed to board the train. You will not be denied entry.
- Shared Space: Initially, you will likely be assigned a side lower berth which is shared by two RAC passengers. This means you will sit side-by-side during the journey.
- Potential for a Berth: As cancellations happen for confirmed tickets before or during the journey, vacant berths are allocated to RAC passengers in sequence. This is where the "Against Cancellation" part comes into play. If enough cancellations occur, you might get a full berth for sleeping later in the journey.
- Priority over Waitlisted: RAC tickets have a higher priority than waitlisted tickets. Waitlisted passengers are not guaranteed to travel unless their ticket moves to RAC or confirmed status.
RAC vs. Other Ticket Statuses
Understanding how RAC fits into the overall railway ticketing system is helpful. Here's a simplified comparison:
| Ticket Status | Guarantee to Travel | Berth Guaranteed Initially? |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed | Yes | Yes (Specific Berth) |
| RAC | Yes | No (Shared Berth) |
| Waitlisted (WL) | No | No |
| Cancelled (CNF) | No | N/A |
Practical Tips for RAC Passengers
- Know Your Rights: An RAC ticket is a valid ticket for travel.
- Coordinate with Co-passenger: If you're sharing a side lower berth, coordinate with the other RAC passenger on the same berth regarding seating space and potential sleeping arrangements if no full berth is allotted.
- Check for Allotment: Ticket examiners (TTEs) manage berth allocations from cancellations during the journey. They will assign vacant berths to RAC passengers based on their RAC number.
In summary, an RAC ticket is your green light to travel, placing you in a privileged position just below confirmed passengers, with the real possibility of securing a full berth if cancellations occur.
