Bike Transport by Train – How to Parcel, Charges, Process

Indian Railways is not the biggest Rail Network but also is one of the biggest modes of transportation. Bike transport by train or any two wheelers is One of the most common things.

How to transport the bike by train? What are the procedures to book the bike parcel in the train? How much should I pay for Bike parcel charges in Indian Railways? Is it possible to proceed with bike transport by train as luggage?

You can find all answers to the bike transport by train below.

How to Transport Bike by Train?

You can transport goods from one place to other using Indian Railways in two forms, either as a luggage or as a parcel. A luggage is something you can take it along with you on the same train you travel. A parcel is subjected to transportation to your choice of the destination through any train or railway wagon as decided by the Rail Authorities.

The whole process of bike transport by train has been completely changed. Until a few months, you can carry the bike along with you on the same train you travel. However, bike transport by train is now purely decided by the Railway authorities. Still, bike transportation is available in two ways, luggage and parcel booking.

Also Check: 

1)  Train Chart Preparation Time 2016

2) IRCTC Passenger Train List

Documents Required for Transportation of Bike by Train

Before booking for transporting your bike, make sure you have all documents of the bike, which is given below:

1. Photocopy of Registration Certificate of the Bike

2. Photocopy of Insurance

Without insurance and bike registration certificate, it is not possible to transport bike by train.

You should also duly fill the form for transporting bike, which requires providing your details, source and destination address, contact number, etc.

Also Read: IRCTC eWallet Registration 2016

Bike Transport by Train as a Luggage

Step1:

Go the railway luggage booking office a day or two before you want your bike to be carried as a luggage on the train you travel. Make an enquiry a few days before about the possibilities of bike transportation as luggage on the day when you travel.

Step2:

If you are booking the bike as your luggage, carry at least two or three copies of mandatory documents of the bike with you.

Step3:

Fill the form providing the relevant information and pay the bike parcel charges as intimated.

Step4:

Let your bike get parceled or packed by a packer. You can find a lot of trained packers who can parcel it to perfection.

Step5:

Book the bike as luggage and carry the luggage receipt with you. You will also receive an endorsement along with the train ticket. These two documents are essential to get the delivery of the bike.

On the day of transport, please ensure the following:

1. Avoid last minute hassles and carry your bike to the railway station early.
2. Make sure your bike is taken to the right platform and loaded in the train you travel.
3. After you reach the destination station, go the luggage office, submit the luggage receipt and endorsement of your ticket. The office authorities will provide a delivery or dispatch receipt.
4. Visit the parcel office and get your bike delivered.

Also Read: How to Book IRCTC Retiring Room?

Bike Transport by Train as a Parcel

Bike parcel in train is almost similar to sending a parcel through a 3rd party courier such as Packers and Movers, Gati etc.

Step1:

Visit the parcel office on the day or day before you want to transport your bike. (Carry the documents as mentioned above.)

Step2:

Pack the bike by using some expert packers. Make sure that your bike packed perfectly.

Step3:

Fill the parcel booking form and enter the engine number and chassis number in the form, and pay the charges. Collect the parcel booking receipt and keep it safe.

Step4:

Carry a marker and create an identity mark or write the booking receipt number on your bike for easy identification during delivery.

Step5:

The authorities will decide about the train through which they transport your bike.  Sometimes the bike may not be transported immediately. You have to track about the transition and enquire the parcel office about the delivery schedule, date and time.

Step6:

You can collect the bike from the destination at any time up to 48 hours after the bike has been transferred to the warehouse of the destination. If you delay for more than 48 hours to pick your bike from the warehouse, you should pay additional charges to get the delivery.

Step7:

During delivery, you should carry the parcel booking receipt. Make sure to note the booking receipt number on the bike parcel for easy identification during delivery of the bike.

Bike Parcel Charges in Indian Railways

The bike parcel charges generally vary based on the weight of the bike and the distance. The distance slabs are marked by kilometers. For example, if the distance of transport is 290 km, and if your bike weighs about 100 kgs, you should pay Rs. 121.73 as bike parcel charges. Here is the chart to Bike parcel charges.

Also Read: Train Coach Booking For Marriage

Other Points to Consider During Bike Transport in Train

Declaration of the value of the bike is an important factor. All transportation made through Indian Railways is covered by insurance.

The cost of bike parcel charges in Indian Railways includes a nominal fee charged towards insurance. You should declare the value of the bike. If the cost of the goods / bike is declared at a maximum of Rs.10000/- no extra fee is charged towards insurance.

If the cost of the bike is declared more than Rs.10000/- the insurance is charged at 1 % on the total extra value of the bike excluding the base value, Rs.10000/-

Do not fuel the bike during transportation. The authorities will levy a fine of Rs.1000 to Rs. 5000 for transporting the bike in train with fuel. So, empty the tank or leave a scanty amount of petrol in the tank. Make sure to empty the petrol tank of your bike when you transport the bike in case of long distance transportation like Central Railways or Western Railways from Southern Railways or vice versa, you should empty the bike.

In the case of any damages or lost or suffers an accident, Indian Railways pays the value of the bike declared. You should also pay about Rs. 200 to Rs. 250 /- for parceling the bike.

Bike Parcel Booking Timings

10 am to 5 pm. Make sure you get your bike parcel booking done at least by 4.30 pm.

Bike Booking in Train as luggage Timing

Any Time – 24/7 , 365 Days

Two Rules for Sending Bike by Train

1st Rule

Empty all the Petrol from Bike: As per Indian Railways rules you are not allowed to send bike by train with petrol inside it. This is because, you have heard about many criminal cases are happening in only crowded places in India and Railway station is one of biggest crowded place in any city, to avoid any such incident railway is not allowing send bike by train with petrol.

What happens if you send bike by train with petrol?

Firstly, you will have to pay a fine of Rs. 1000/- at the destination place. This fee will go to the Railway’s account.

Secondly, you can not take your bike at destination place even after paying 1000/- fine. Yes as mentioned in railway rules the bike will be rushed to the police station and you will have to answer the police that Why you have filled the petrol? You will be asked to submit your Identity into police station thereafter you can take your bike back.

I understand that Little bit petrol in a bike is required to reach up to the petrol pump at the destination. As everybody knows the above-mentioned things are just formal rule which no body follows because of Corruption. If you give only 50Rs. to the guy who takes your bike up to the train then he will allow you to keep a little bit petrol.

2nd Rule

Mentioned cost in the Receipt (In Hindi Bilti) of your bike will be paid to you if any accident or damage happens with your bike.

Also Read: IRCTC Service Charges 2016

My Experience in few words – How to send the bike by train?

Whenever you need to send bike by train then just go to the railway station and always prefer “Bike transport by train as a parcel service” don’t go for “Bike transport by train as a luggage” (Process and steps are explained above)

1. Go to the railways station at parcel counter and ask any local guy to parcel the bike, do not ask any authorized railway officer because the local guy is used to do this and he knows the process very well.

2. Let the guy pack your bike properly and meanwhile you take the receipt ready at counter. Once you get the receipt you will not be allowed to touch the bike until it reaches the destination. Because railways has taken the ownership of your bike now after giving the Bilti (Receipt) to you.

3. Now your bike may be standing at the railway station for next 1 week. Yes railway always send the parcels on the basis of FCFS (First Come First Serve). There are thousands of the parcels in railway station and the train is one so railway takes at least one week time to complete it. Your bike will be standing for 1 week like below image.

In this case what to do? I’ll suggest you to give Rs. 200/- to the guy who has packed your bike and tell him to send bike by train today only. You might be thinking why Railway will allow that guy to touch your bike after taking ownership? Actually, it’s against the rule but all people are corrupted in railways.

The money which you will give to the guy (Rs. 200/-) will be distributed among all the people involved in this process.

I followed the same process mentioned above and my bike reached to the destination place on same day. If you don’t follow my experience then i am 100% sure your bike can not be reached on same day.

Thanks for reading my experience! If you have any doubts or complain then please ask in the comment section below.

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