Activities

Responsible Passenger Behaviour and Travel Discipline Campaign

Alert Passengers • Orderly Travel • Respectful Conduct • Safer Journeys

The Responsible Passenger Behaviour and Travel Discipline Campaign is a comprehensive public-safety and passenger-awareness initiative proposed by the All India Rail Safety Council (AIRSC). The Campaign seeks to encourage safe, disciplined, courteous and responsible conduct across railway and metro environments—from entering a station and waiting on a platform to travelling aboard a train and safely completing the journey.

Railway safety depends not only on infrastructure, technology and professional operations but also on the everyday choices made by passengers. Rushing, pushing, ignoring warning signs, obstructing doors or entering restricted areas can place individuals and others at serious risk. The Campaign therefore promotes the principle that every passenger has a personal and civic responsibility to follow authorised instructions, respect fellow travellers and contribute to a safe and orderly travel environment.

A safe journey begins with proper preparation. Passengers should plan their travel, verify train details through reliable sources, arrive at the station with sufficient time and carry only manageable luggage. Tickets, identification and essential travel information should be kept readily available. Travelling without unnecessary haste reduces confusion and helps passengers use station facilities more safely.

Passengers must always use authorised entrances, foot overbridges, subways, escalators, lifts and designated pathways. Railway tracks must never be used as shortcuts, and no person should enter operational or restricted areas without permission. Trespassing exposes individuals to fast-moving trains, electrical hazards and other risks that may not be immediately visible.

On platforms, passengers should remain behind the designated safety line and maintain a safe distance from the edge. Sitting on the platform edge, walking close to moving trains, leaning over the track or placing luggage in unsafe locations must be avoided. Children should remain under responsible adult supervision and should never be allowed to run, play or wander near the platform edge.

Orderly boarding and alighting are essential elements of travel discipline. Passengers waiting to board should stand to the side of train doors and first allow those inside to exit. They should then board calmly and in sequence, without pushing, crowding or competing for seats. Passengers must never attempt to board or leave a moving train, even when it appears to be travelling slowly.

Train and metro doors are important safety systems and must never be blocked, forced open or misused. Passengers should not place their hands, feet, bags or other objects between closing doors. Footboard travel, rooftop travel, leaning outside coaches and standing in unsafe doorway positions can result in fatal accidents and must be completely avoided.

Inside trains, passengers should keep doors, aisles and emergency routes unobstructed. Luggage should be stored securely so that it does not fall, create a tripping hazard or block access. Travellers should use handrails where provided and remain seated or hold a suitable support when the train is moving. Emergency equipment must never be handled except during a genuine emergency and in accordance with authorised instructions.

Respectful conduct is inseparable from safe travel. Passengers should avoid shouting, threatening behaviour, harassment, offensive language and actions that disturb or endanger others. Personal space, queues, reserved facilities and the dignity of fellow travellers must be respected. Courtesy and patience contribute to calm environments in which safety instructions can be communicated and followed effectively.

Special consideration should be shown to children, women, senior citizens, pregnant passengers and persons with disabilities. Passengers should keep accessible routes clear, respect reserved seats and provide appropriate assistance where required. Help should always be offered with consent and without placing either person at additional risk.

Mobile phones must be used responsibly in stations and trains. Passengers should not look at screens while walking near platforms, stairways, escalators, crossings or other high-risk areas. Earphone volume should remain low enough to hear announcements, alarms and approaching trains. Calls, messages and entertainment should never distract a person from signs, instructions or surrounding hazards.

Selfies, videos and social-media content must never be created on railway tracks, near platform edges, from train doors or in restricted operational areas. No photograph or online post is worth risking a life. Passengers must also respect privacy, obtain consent before photographing others and comply with applicable rules concerning photography and security-sensitive areas.

Cleanliness and responsible use of public property are important safety duties. Waste left on platforms, stairways or inside coaches can cause slips, obstruct movement and increase fire risk. Passengers should use designated bins, maintain clean surroundings and avoid damaging seats, signs, barriers, emergency equipment or other railway assets. Protecting public property means protecting the safety and convenience of every traveller.

Passengers must not carry prohibited, dangerous or inflammable substances. Smoking and the unsafe use of electrical appliances can create serious fire hazards and must be avoided in accordance with applicable rules. Any signs of smoke, fire, sparking, suspicious objects or damaged equipment should be reported immediately to authorised railway or emergency personnel without touching or investigating the hazard.

During an emergency, passengers should remain calm, listen carefully and follow the directions of authorised personnel. They should not create panic, block evacuation routes or spread rumours and unverified information. Emergency alarms, communication devices and helpline services must be used responsibly. Assistance should be given to vulnerable passengers only when it is safe and does not interfere with trained responders.

Crowd discipline is particularly important during festivals, holidays, special events and service disruptions. Passengers should follow designated entry and exit routes, avoid sudden movement and cooperate with crowd-control arrangements. If a platform or coach appears overcrowded, travellers should follow official guidance and avoid forcing entry into unsafe spaces.

Parents and guardians carry an additional responsibility when travelling with children. Children should be taught to stay close, remember basic contact information and approach authorised personnel if separated. Adults should set a positive example by following queues, respecting safety lines and avoiding shortcuts. Children are more likely to develop safe habits when adults consistently demonstrate responsible conduct.

Through RailVidya—National Children’s Integrated Safety Education Programme, AIRSC proposes age-appropriate passenger-safety education for children and students. School sessions, posters, activities and digital resources may help young travellers understand platform discipline, safe boarding, emergency behaviour and respect for public property. The objective is to nurture informed passengers from an early age.

The Campaign may be implemented through awareness posters, short videos, multilingual messages, public pledges, digital campaigns, workshops, exhibitions and community programmes. Educational institutions, transport-safety specialists, civil-society organisations and responsible volunteers may participate in suitable activities, subject to necessary permissions and coordination with competent authorities.

Campaign impact may be assessed through public participation, educational reach, passenger feedback, awareness surveys and observable improvements in travel behaviour. Institutions and individuals demonstrating exemplary passenger discipline or making meaningful contributions to public education may be recognised through suitable AIRSC safety-awareness initiatives.

The Responsible Passenger Behaviour and Travel Discipline Campaign seeks to establish a simple national principle: every safe journey is a partnership between reliable railway systems, responsible professionals and disciplined passengers. By remaining alert, patient and respectful, each traveller can help prevent accidents, reduce congestion and protect the lives and dignity of others.

The All India Rail Safety Council, as an independent non-profit platform dedicated to rail-safety education, awareness, training and research, invites passengers, families, schools, community organisations and safety professionals to support this public-awareness campaign. Responsible behaviour is not merely good travel etiquette—it is an essential contribution to national railway safety.

“Your behaviour shapes the journey—travel with discipline, respect every passenger and protect every life.”

Prepare Carefully • Follow Instructions • Travel Responsibly • Arrive Safely