Pune Commuter Misses Connecting Train After Lonavala Local Delay, Seeks Refund
A commuter on the Lonavala-Pune route missed his onward superfast train due to a 20-minute delay and has requested a refund for the unused ticket.
Pune| November 19, 2025: A commuter travelling from Lonavala to Pune had a frustrating start to his day when the local train from Lonavala to Pune Junction arrived approximately 20 minutes late, causing him to miss his scheduled superfast connection to Kopargaon. He had bought an unreserved ticket via the UTS mobile app for ₹265 and boarded the local service that was supposed to deliver him in time to catch his onwards train. However, the local train reached Shivajinagar around 6:30 AM — after his connecting train’s departure from Pune Junction — leaving him stranded and out of pocket.
The commuter shared real-time screenshots of the delay on social media, pointing out that local trains on the Lonavala–Pune corridor have been routinely behind schedule. These visuals prompted the divisional railway manager’s office in Pune, along with the official Railway Seva handle, to respond. Both asked the commuter to share his ticket reference and journey details via direct message for a review of his refund request.
Railway officials confirmed they are investigating the delay on the local service and assessing the possibility of granting a refund for the unused onward ticket. While rail rules do allow a refund in cases where a connecting journey is disrupted due to delay of the first train, the process becomes complex when tickets are unreserved and booked via mobile apps. According to Indian Railways’ guidelines, a refund is possible for missed connections if the delay is beyond a certain threshold and the journey segments are properly linked. mint+2Indian Railways+2
In this case, the commuter is seeking relief on the grounds that the local train’s delay — which was evidently recorded across multiple stations — directly caused his inability to board the next train. The rail administration has asked for his details and will determine whether the system of linking his first and second journeys meets the criteria for a legitimate refund claim. If approved, the refund will cover the unused leg of his travel.
This incident underscores broader concerns among daily commuters on the Lonavala–Pune suburban corridor, where punctuality is critical for those depending on onward long-distance services. Frequent delays not only cause inconvenience but also financial loss when connecting tickets are missed. Observers say that such scenarios call for more robust monitoring of local train timetables and compensation mechanisms for passengers affected by cascading delays.
For passengers, the key takeaway is the importance of maintaining records of delays (screenshots, apps, station announcements) when a delay causes missed connections. They should then approach railway grievance mechanisms with the ticket reference, journey details and proof of delay. Early intervention helps in smoother processing of refund requests, especially in mobile-booked unreserved segments.
Ultimately, resolution of this case will depend on how strictly the rail rules are interpreted regarding linked journeys, proof of delay and whether the passenger had booked the connecting segment as part of a single linked journey. If accepted, it may set an example for commuters in similar situations. Meanwhile, the traveller waits for railway authorities to decide on his refund application.
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