Patna: The railways has decided to install at least 90 additional automatic ticket vending machines (ATVMs) at key stations in the Danapur division of East Central Railway (ECR), to help manage rising passenger footfall and reduce long queues for general tickets.
Details of the Initiative
Danapur senior divisional commercial manager (DCM) Abhinav Siddarth said the move would enable passengers to buy tickets more conveniently and save time. At present, 54 ATVMs are operational in the division, offering unreserved short-distance journey and platform tickets, he said.
The initiative comes amid increasing demand for unreserved ticketing services from daily commuters on key routes such as Buxar–Patna, Mokama–Patna, Gaya–Patna, Rajgir–Patna and Kiul–Gaya. Recently, some machines faced shortages of thermal rolls used for ticket printing. The railway administration has since replenished supplies and deployed facilitators at crowded stations to assist passengers.
Current Ticketing Volume and Expansion
According to officials, the division is currently issuing around 2.6 lakh unreserved tickets daily, including those generated through ATVMs. Along with expanding the machine network, the railways has also increased the number of UTS counters at major stations to handle the passenger rush more efficiently.
Welcoming the move, Bihar Daily Passenger Association general secretary Shoaib Quraishi said the additional machines would help improve ticketing convenience and reduce congestion, particularly during peak hours.
The installation of these 90 ATVMs is part of a broader effort by the Danapur division to modernize ticketing infrastructure and enhance passenger experience. The machines will be strategically placed at stations with high footfall, including Patna Junction, Danapur, and others along the busy routes. This expansion is expected to significantly cut down waiting times for commuters, especially those traveling short distances.
In addition to the ATVMs, the railways has also introduced measures to ensure uninterrupted operation, such as regular maintenance checks and adequate stock of thermal rolls. Facilitators have been deployed to guide passengers unfamiliar with the machines, ensuring a smooth transition to automated ticketing.
