Rly launches Windows app for ticket bookings

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) on Thursday launched a new application (app) for Windows Phone and Windows 8 personal computers to facilitate users with a new channel to book e-tickets.

The app has been made available exclusively for Windows devices, in collaboration with Microsoft. The users of Windows phones, Windows 8 desktops or tablets can download it free of cost, as per their requirement from the Windows phone store and the Windows store respectively.

Using this new app, one can plan a trip, make railway reservations, check PNR statuses and perform all tasks that are available on the IRCTC web site.

However, the app will not be available from 8 am till noon and 11:10 pm to 12:30 am as per the existing railway guidelines for e-ticketing.

“With this alternative channel of booking, passengers will have additional convenience and a better experience of booking e-tickets,” said Rakesh Tandon, chief managing director, IRCTC while inaugurating the launch.

Joseph Landes, General Manager (Developer and Platform Evangelism) of the Microsoft Corporation was also present.

The app will provide users with an enhanced experience of all IRCTC website services and will also offer a few exclusive services to app users. Features include visual maps of train routes, Windows Phone live tiles (lighting up as train tickets) and access to saved-traveller profiles from multiple devices among others.

“This application will help a wide number of users as Windows is a widely familiar platform. It offers the best in terms of class and security required while handling personal and financial data of customers. The move meets the objective of IRCTC among others to focus relentlessly on enhancing customer experience,” said IRCTC.