Duties of TTE in Second Class Sleeper Coach: Things to Know

Indian Railways has divided its operations into zone and divisions to maintain the operational aspects of Railways. It has given some of the spectacular and unforgettable rail journeys thus facilitating passengers by its online and offline services. Mobile applications launched by Indian Railways have all their services hosted online for passengers’ convenience, especially ordering food online in train is the trending one. However, when daily structural duties are concerned, it’s the decentralization of responsibilities in a designed hierarchy which makes every process convenient and timely. Every railway officer or employee is assigned with their duties and responsibilities which they progressively abide by. Whether it’s the loco pilot who is in charge of running a train or the station master who is the authorised for the entire station duty, each and every one has their fixed duties to handle and operate. One of the important components of Railway staffs is the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE), in common words, he/she is called the “Ticket Checker”, an employee in Indian Railway who examines tickets during journey. However, apart from ticket checking, he is also assigned with several responsibilities. Some of them are mentioned below:

Credit:The Hindu

• Punctuality and Attendance:
  The sleeper coach TTEs must be punctual to his duty. TTE’s shall report to his duty 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train. In case he joins the train en route and not at the originating station, he shall report to the duty 15 minutes before the scheduled arrival of the train. CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems ), with its latest technical initiative, will soon introduce biometric system attendance in TTE lobby of stations where the TTEs can register their attendance with signature. It’s a green initiative taken by the railways.

• Examining Tickets of the passengers:
  It’s the prime responsibility of the TTE to check and verify passenger journey tickets in the coach and decide its validity and guide them in occupying their seats. He is solely responsible for correct accommodation.

• Prevent unauthorized entry in coaches:
  He shall prevent any unauthorized person to enter into the coach including the platform ticket holders. There’re separate platform tickets rules and they’re not allowed to board any train for journey.

• Get the complete chart of reservations before journey:
  Usually, the train charting is done four hours before the departure of the train. In the meantime, he shall obtain the complete list of passenger particulars and shall maintain the complete and correct entries like name, class of coach, berth/seat number, age, and the most important “PNR number”. These particulars are to be verified by the passengers during journey.

• Regulate the entry and exit of passengers:
  The TTE is responsible to regulate the entry and exit of passengers so that, at any time, the number of passengers must not exceed the capacity of coach.

• Maintain EFTs:
  EFT means the “Excess Fare Ticket”. It is collected by the TTE from the passengers for traveling without any proper pass or ticket. In case, if a traveler travels beyond his authorised distance, then the TTEs is authorised to collect the fare of the unauthorised distance. Here, one should know the exact difference between EFT and fine. Where EFT is the excess fare collected by the TTE, fine and other charges are any sum payable for destroying railway property or for not obeying the general extant rules of Indian Railways.

Recommended Read:Duties of a Coach attendant

• Allotment for berths:
  He shall allot berth/seats which are vacant to the passengers at immediate stations on realization of fare surcharges, as per the rules on first come and first serve basis and also on priority basis of the passengers having waiting list tickets for the train journey.

• Handling of Complaints:
  The TTEs shall pay prompt attention to complaints from passengers in regard to non-working of fans, lights cleanliness of the carriage, entraining and detraining of the authorised passengers; prevent outsiders entering in the coach, etc. He is the first authoritative person to entertain complain of any theft in the coach. The TTE carries the blank FIR forms to make them available to the passengers in case of any theft incident. Such forms duly filled in the handed over to the next GRP Post at the scheduled stoppage for further action in the matter.

• Deficiency Report:
  The TTE shall make out a report of deficiencies in the coaches about passengers’ amenities and submit the same at the end of his duty to the lobby office set up at the stations where the train will about to terminate. If the TTE is detraining at the immediate station, then he will deposit the same to another TTE present at the station or in the train premises. This deficiency report is further passed on to Divisional commercial manager of the concerned division.

• Vigilance:
  TTEs assigned to sleeper class coaches must be vigilant particularly during night time and ensure that intruders, beggars, hawkers and unauthorized food vendors shall not enter the coach.

5 most burning Questions about TTE! Now answered

• How many TTEs are there in one train?
  Typically, there’re is one TTE assigned for 4 coaches. For long distance train a new TTE takes over every day.

• Where is the seat of TTE in train?
  Generally, passengers with RAC or waiting status look out for the TTE to inquire about their seat confirmation. In Shatabdi, Rajdhani Express, other Express and Mail trains, the seat of the TTE in these trains have been allotted with seat number 7 in every sleeper coach. For Superfast trains, its A1 coach berth number 5.

• What is difference between TTE and TC?
  A TTE ensures that the seats are allotted to the passengers as per their tickets and the accommodation is convenient for the passenger whereas the TC (Ticket Collector) fines ticketless travelers.

• Can TTE issue tickets?
  The new feature will be available on both the web and mobile version of the IRCTC e-ticket booking platform. Based on the information of seat availability, passengers will be able to approach the TTE on board for ticket booking as well, says Indian Railways.

• IS TTE the immediate authority to complain on any stuff in railways?
  Yes! TTE is the immediate authority to complain for your grievance. Passengers can call TTE and complain about their concern. He/shall further arrange for help in any matter.

Toll free Indian Railway Helpline numbers:

• 1323 (e-catering)
• 138 (Grievance number)
• 1800111139 (General Inquiry)
• 1800111322 (Railway Police)
• 1800111321 (Catering complaint & suggestion)
• 155210 (Vigilance)
• 182 (Helping for children & women)
• 1512 (State zonal wise Railway Police)
• 1098 (Lost/Missing child help)
• 139 (PNR/cancellation/Fare Inquiry, Seat availability, Current train running status) and 011155210 (Vigilance Helpline number)