Home
Internet
Internet News
Soon, Journalists Will Be Able to Avail Rail Travel Concessions Online

Soon, Journalists Will Be Able to Avail Rail Travel Concessions Online

By Press Trust of India | Updated: 26 February 2016 13:28 IST

Accredited journalists will soon be able book tickets online to avail the rail travel concessions enjoyed by them.

The decision to offer this e-ticketing facility for PIB-accredited journalists was made Thursday in the Rail Budget.

E-booking of tickets on the concessional passes for journalists will be introduced, he said.

The Press Information Bureau-accredited scribes avail discount in rail travel, which can be availed only by booking tickets from a railway counter.

(Also see: 100 Stations to Get Wi-Fi This Year, Reiterates Railway Minister)

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu also spoke of opening e-ticketing facility for foreign tourists and NRIs using foreign debit or credit cards in the next three months. The 'Vikalp' (Alternative Train Accommodation System) scheme introduced in October 2015 will be expanded to provide choice accommodation in specific trains to wait-listed passengers.

Prabhu also proposed a new process for cancellation of tickets through the 139 helpline post verification using, 'One Time Password' sent on registered phone number. Barcoded tickets, scanners and access control will be introduced on a pilot basis on major stations to tackle the menace of ticketless travel and ensure hassle-free travel for passengers.

The minister said Railways intends to commence sale of tickets through hand-held terminals for the benefit of the suburban and short-distance travelers.

He also said that railways intends initiating sale of platform tickets through ticket-vending machines which would be made compatible with not only cash but also credit or debit cards.

Railways has set up a dedicated IVRS system to seek direct feedback from passengers. More than a lakh telephone calls are made everyday to seek inputs from passengers.

CCTV coverage at tatkal counters is being planned to improve services during morning hours. A system of third-party periodic audits and certification of security features of the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) website is being planned.

In pursuance of 'Operation Five Minutes' which was announced last year, the Railway minister introduced 1,780 automatic ticket-vending machines, mobile apps and 'GoIndia' smartcards. GoIndia smartcard will enable cashless purchase tickets.

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.