As part of the “Ticket at doorsteps” concept, the Railways has proposed to install automatic Ticket Vending Machines in the 11th five year plan and is contemplating to introduce “Card System” to facilitate people to buy tickets from various outlets including banks, petrol pumps and post offices.
“The concept will be extended to automatic Ticket Vending Machines for suburban, long-distance unreserved, as well as reserved passengers,” said a top Railway Official.
He said over 5,000 ticket Vending Machines were proposed to be installed in parking lots, waiting halls, station concourses, as well as in universities, offices and shopping malls to take the ticket-booking facility to the door steps of people.
Besides, he said the Ministry in collaboration with Mobile Service Providers was planning to introduce Card System on line, to facilitate desirous passengers to book their ticket through e-ticketing.
But there are some constraints in this regard like the high agent charges. Besides the system could not provide details regarding waiting-list tickets and “if a train has already left the station, there is no definite procedure for refund,” the official said.
Railways was working out a technology to overcome the waiting-list problem, he said adding that several leading companies including Infosys, Wipro, TCS, LCF and IBM have offered their expertise in this regard.
He said that the Railway was also planning to launch another concept of “distinctive numbers” for availing reservation facility.
Service charge
In a move to further popularise e-Ticketing, the Railways has decided to slash IRCTC service charges from the existing Rs 15 to Rs 10 on sleeper class and has set a three time target of distribution of tickets through e-Ticketing.
“Two years ago (2005-06) IRCTC used to charge Rs 60 from agents for providing e-Ticketing facility to passengers through its various outlets. It was reduced to Rs 40 in 2006-07 and further slashed to Rs 15 in the current Budget of 2007-08. We have decided to further reduce it to Rs 10,” Sudhir Kumar, OSD to Rail Minister, told reporters here on Sunday.
But the new rates will be applicable only to e-tickets’ available at Petrol Pumps, ICICI, Cyber Cafe and Banks, where one has to just push buttons for making reservation and the travel agents facilitating tickets at passengers’ residences will continue charging the old rates.
Information System
An integrated Railway Information System was being developed to provide information regarding trains, train movements, ticketing and facilities on display systems at stations.
It would also made this data available to passengers through Internet, telephones/mobile phones, television, radio and newspaper feeds etc, he said.
“The system will also cover freight and parcel customers,” he said adding that Freight Operation Information Service (FOIS) would be extended to all loading points and will interface with customers’ information systems, weigh bridges, etc.
A comprehensive Information System for the dedicated Freight Corridors will also be conceptualised, developed, and implemented during the period.