Ticketless travel on South Western Railway (SWR) trains has seen a significant surge, with officials detecting a staggering number of violations in the current year. Data reveals a worrying trend of passengers riding without valid tickets across one of India's busiest rail networks.
A Sharp Rise in Ticketless Travel Cases
Between January and November 2025, railway authorities booked over 7.7 lakh cases of ticketless travel. This marks a substantial 10% increase compared to the same eleven-month period in the previous year. The problem appears to be escalating, with the month of November alone witnessing about 67,000 violations.
This spike in November 2025 resulted in penalties worth Rs 5.3 crore, the highest collection for the Bengaluru division. The figures from November represent a sharp 24% rise from November 2024, when around 54,000 cases were recorded, yielding over Rs 3.3 crore in fines.
Bengaluru Division: The Epicenter of the Problem
The scale of the issue is most pronounced in the Bengaluru division, which continues to be the busiest and most problematic corridor. In November, this single division accounted for 26,248 cases, the highest number across the SWR network. This underscores the significant challenge of fare evasion in the region's key travel routes.
However, railway officials provide crucial context for these rising numbers. They clarify that the increase in detected cases does not automatically mean more people are intentionally evading fares. A significant factor is the intensification of enforcement drives.
Manjunath Kanamadi, the Chief Public Relations Officer of SWR, explained the situation. "Passenger movement overall has gone up, and the number of services has increased. Many people travel despite non-availability of confirmed tickets," he said. He emphasized that checks have been intensified using existing staff, without an increase in dedicated ticket-checking personnel.
Enforcement Challenges and the Unseen Picture
The railway's crackdown has involved special inspections and surprise checks both at stations and onboard trains. Despite these efforts, officials admit that the reported statistics likely only show a part of the complete picture. A major hurdle is the severe overcrowding in unreserved coaches, which makes systematic checks there nearly impossible.
A senior official highlighted this logistical challenge, stating, "We can hardly enter unreserved coaches due to congestion. These figures largely reflect checks in reserved classes." This means a vast number of violations in general compartments may go entirely undetected.
Authorities note that ticketless travel traditionally peaks during festive seasons when passenger volumes swell. With more rush anticipated in the upcoming festival and peak travel periods, the SWR has announced that enforcement will be further intensified. They continue to urge passengers to ensure they possess valid tickets for their journeys, emphasizing compliance for a smoother travel experience for all.
