Redditor Questions Ticketless Travellers On Indian Trains; Netizens Call It A Daily Struggle

If you’ve ever travelled by train in India, chances are you’ve had this experience: your reserved seat isn’t really your seat. Someone squeezes in “just for one stop,” and before you know it, half the compartment feels like a free-for-all. It’s one of those uniquely Indian travel moments that leaves you wondering: why does this keep happening? That’s exactly what one Reddit user asked this week, and his post about ticketless travel has now gone viral. 

Reddit Users Debate Ticketless Travel On Indian Railways

Why don’t people buy tickets for low distance or just travel in general ?
byu/notrishithakur inindianrailways

A man took to Reddit’s r/IndianRailways community to ask why so many passengers on Indian Railways avoid buying short-distance tickets and instead travel in general coaches or sit in reserved compartments for a few stops. His question has since gone viral, drawing hundreds of reactions from fellow travellers across the country. He also mentioned that this issue seemed particularly common on trains running through Bihar, adding that ticket checks often stop once trains enter the state. His question was simple: why do people think this behaviour is okay?

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Everyday Chaos On Indian Trains

The post sparked a flood of comments. Some agreed with him completely, while others offered explanations for why this happens so often. One Redditor shared a shocking experience and wrote, “Once, someone literally sat over me while I was asleep on the 3rd AC side lower berth, saying there was no space to stand in the corridor. From that day onwards, I only travel by Vande Bharat or Rajdhani while going through Bihar.”

Another user compared the situation to what happens in buses, commenting, “I once had to yell at the bus staff and passengers who tried to take my paid sleeper seat. If you appear weak, they’ll crush you. If you appear confident, they’ll back off.”

But not everyone blamed passengers. Some defended them, saying the real issue lies in poverty and overcrowding. “People from Bihar and UP travel a lot because of their jobs. Trains are their main mode of travel since buses are expensive. It’s not always about arrogance — it’s about necessity,” one user explained. Others tried to strike a balance. “If someone asks politely, it’s okay to let them sit for one stop,” said a commenter. “But they should also accept it if you say no. It’s your seat, after all.”

This discussion reveals how deep the problem runs. Millions of Indians depend on trains every single day, especially in states with high migration and limited road transport. Until the system improves, these everyday battles between ticket holders and short-distance riders are likely to continue.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/Plato Terentev