Pune: Planning to Send Your Bike by Train? Beware of Fake Agents; Know the Rules

Reported by Amit Singh
Pune, 8th May 2025: As two-wheeler transportation by train becomes increasingly popular among passengers at Pune Railway Station, Indian Railways has reinforced the importance of using authorized booking and packaging services to avoid fraud and illegal charges. “While speaking to Punekar News, Pune Division Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) Hemant Kumar Behera said that no private transportation or delivery agency has been authorized to operate either within or outside the station. A single packaging agency, approved by the Pune Division, is available at the parcel section to assist passengers at a fixed rate.”

Sharp Rise in Bike Bookings: Pune Station Statistics

The data provided by Pune Division highlights a consistent and growing demand for two-wheeler transportation. In January 2025, a total of 2,032 bikes were loaded at Pune Station, followed by 1,820 in February, 2,201 in March, and a peak of 2,515 in April. On the receiving end, 2,591 bikes were unloaded in January, 1,954 in February, 2,236 in March, and 2,217 in April.

These figures suggest a high volume of two-wheeler movement through Pune Station, increasing the risk of exploitation by unauthorized vendors. Officials are actively monitoring for malpractice and warn passengers to avoid falling prey to illegal agents who charge extra or offer unauthorized services.

Required Documentation and Preparation Before Booking

• To ensure a smooth and legal booking process, passengers must present the following documents at the parcel or luggage counter:
• Registration Certificate of the two-wheeler
• ID card of the vehicle owner
• Government-issued ID proof of the sender
• Before handing over the bike, passengers must ensure the fuel tank is completely empty and side mirrors or any extra fittings are removed. Packaging will be handled only by the authorized agency at the station for a fixed fee ranging between ₹300–₹400.
• It is mandatory to tag the two-wheeler with a cardboard label displaying the originating and destination stations in bold, visible writing.

Parcel or Luggage: Two Booking Options Explained

Indian Railways offers two ways to transport two-wheelers:

1. Parcel Booking – For passengers not traveling with the vehicle, the bike must be booked as a parcel. The process requires:

• Xerox copies of the registration certificate and ID proof
• Pre-packaged vehicle
• Completion of a forwarding note with origin and destination, registration number, make, weight, value, and sender details

2. Luggage Booking – For passengers traveling with the same train, the two-wheeler can be booked as luggage. The passenger must:

• Arrive at least 30 minutes before train departure
• Produce the journey ticket at the time of booking
• Follow the same procedures for packaging, tagging, and documentation
• A luggage ticket will be issued, and an endorsement will be made on the passenger’s journey ticket. This ticket must be presented and surrendered to take delivery at the destination.

Price Breakdown and Distance-Based Charges

Two-wheeler parcel prices vary depending on the Railways’ rate scale used for booking:

• S-scale (Standard): e.g., ₹400 from Pune to Nagpur (884 km)
• P-scale (Premier): ₹800
• R-scale (Rajdhani): ₹1,200
• L-scale (Luggage): ₹1,440

Passengers must add ₹300–₹400 for packing, paid to the railway-authorized vendor at the parcel section. These rates are officially calculated using the Indian Railways parcel rate calculator available on their website.

Strict Action Against Unauthorized Vendors

DCM Hemant Kumar Behera emphasized that Pune Railway Division is closely monitoring illegal agents and ensuring zero tolerance for malpractices. Passengers are advised not to deal with individuals or companies claiming to provide two-wheeler parcel services outside the official station parcel counter. Always ask for an official receipt and never pay additional fees beyond those fixed by the Railways.

Contact for Official Assistance

For packing and booking assistance, passengers can call the official number: 9766353772. All bookings should be made directly through the Railways Parcel or Luggage Counter at Pune Station.