Kochi: In a major push to modernise passenger amenities and eliminate queues at ticket counters, major railway stations in Kerala, including Ernakulam Junction, Thiruvananthapuram Central, and Tripunithura, will soon feature dedicated RailOne Self-Ticketing Zones. This first-of-its-kind initiative for Indian Railways leverages the growing popularity of digital ticketing while providing relief to daily commuters from standing in long lines.
New Ticketing Experience
Currently, commuters can obtain tickets through counters and Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs). With the new facility, railways aim to introduce a fresh point of contact for availing unreserved tickets. A senior railway official stated that the RailOne app is gaining popularity, encouraging the authorities to proceed with the initiative.
Rollout Timeline
The self-ticketing zones are expected to be launched before Onam. The first facilities will be introduced at the three stations on an experimental basis. Subsequently, such zones will be set up at 102 stations across the division, from Thiruvananthapuram to Vadakkencherry, before the festival season.
Discounts and Facilities
Commuters using the RailOne app to book unreserved tickets from these zones will receive a 3% discount on fares. The dedicated zones will be located at the entrance of the concourse of the ticketing building. Each zone will feature multiple 65-inch TV screens. Commuters can simply scan a QR code from one screen, while another screen displays real-time transit data, including train schedules for the next three hours, live platform assignments, and exact coach positions. Alerts will also be provided for trains running late or arriving at the stations. Additionally, commuters can purchase platform tickets, book AC lounges, cloakroom services, and porter facilities.
Contract and Implementation
Railways have already auctioned the work, and Ernakulam-based Catalyst Collective Ltd has secured the contract.
Addressing Queue Issues
According to a railway study, nearly 40% of commuters purchase tickets after arriving at the station. Major stations like Ernakulam witness a daily passenger footfall of three lakhs. Consequently, a substantial number of commuters rely on counters and ATVMs, leading to long queues during peak hours. To use the new facility, commuters must download the RailOne app on their mobile phones. Railways aim to increase the share of digital ticketing to 50% by the end of this year through this initiative.
Current Digital Ticketing Usage
Currently, 25% of commuters who buy tickets at stations use the RailOne app. However, the app does not allow ticket booking once a user is within 100 meters of a railway station; instead, commuters must scan QR codes on station premises. This often leads to last-minute scrambling to locate specific QR codes. The new dedicated zone addresses this by geofencing the ticketing process, making it more convenient for passengers.
