Passengers travelling on suburban local trains or in the General class compartments of Indian Railways must ensure they have a valid unreserved ticket, as per the national transporter's regulations. In a recent clarification, the Railways has detailed the specific documents passengers need to carry during their journey, distinguishing between physical and digital tickets.
Online and Offline Booking Channels for Unreserved Tickets
Travellers have multiple avenues to purchase an unreserved ticket. For the traditional offline method, passengers need to visit the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at railway stations. During periods of high passenger rush, temporary Yatri Suvidha Kendras are also set up at various stations to facilitate easier booking.
For a contactless and convenient experience, unreserved tickets can be booked online through official mobile applications. The Railways has endorsed the use of the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) app and the RailOne app for this purpose, allowing passengers to secure their tickets before arriving at the station.
Mandatory Carriage Rules: Physical vs. Digital Tickets
The Railways issued a clear directive on Friday, specifying the proof of ticket passengers must have in their possession. The rule depends on the format of the ticket purchased.
For all physical unreserved tickets, irrespective of whether they were booked online or at a counter, passengers are required to carry the physical paper ticket throughout their journey for inspection by ticket checking staff.
The rules are different for purely digital transactions. In cases where a passenger books an unreserved ticket online and does not take a printed copy, they can present the digital ticket on the same mobile device used for the booking. The ticket must be shown for verification from the original booking device, adding a layer of security to prevent misuse.
"It is clarified that at present any person who has taken a physical unreserved ticket booked online or offline is supposed to carry the same during the journey. However, in case of digital unreserved tickets booked online in which no physical print of the ticket has been taken, the passenger can show the digital ticket in the same mobile from which it was booked, for verification," the railways stated.
Crackdown on Fake IDs for Smoother Booking
In a related move to ensure fair and seamless ticket booking for all, the Ministry of Railways has intensified efforts to eliminate fake user IDs from its ticketing ecosystem. This initiative aims to reform the system so that genuine passengers can easily book tickets using verified identities, thereby improving access and reducing malpractices.
This clarification and the ongoing tech reforms underscore Indian Railways' focus on streamlining the unreserved travel experience, which forms the backbone of suburban and short-distance commute for millions of Indians daily. Passengers are advised to adhere to these guidelines to avoid any inconvenience during their travel.
