The air-conditioned waiting room at Vadodara Railway Station has been converted into a paid facility, with passengers now required to pay ₹10 per hour for adults and ₹5 per hour for children to use it.
Earlier, passengers travelling in AC classes could access the waiting room free of cost, regardless of how long they stayed, making it especially useful during train delays.The facility has now been handed over to a private contractor, who is responsible for collecting the user charges.
In a significant change, the waiting room is no longer reserved for AC ticket holders. Passengers travelling in general and sleeper classes can also use the air-conditioned waiting room by paying the prescribed fee.
The move has sparked concerns among some passengers that the waiting room could become overcrowded during peak hours, making it difficult for travellers on premium trains such as Vande Bharat Express, Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express to find space.
Meanwhile, the Railways has also introduced a new Railway Lounge on Platform No. 1, offering amenities such as sleeping pods, shower and changing rooms, digital lockers and food services. The lounge is available at a starting charge of ₹200 per hour.