EASTERN RAILWAY PAVES THE WAY FOR A SEAMLESS, DIGITAL TICKETING FUTURE

EASTERN RAILWAY PAVES THE WAY FOR A SEAMLESS, DIGITAL TICKETING FUTURE

In a major move to enhance passenger experience, cutting-edge digital ticketing solutions is making travel easier, faster, and more convenient than ever before. With the increasing popularity of Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) and the Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) on Mobile with enhanced and attractive features, Eastern Railway is revolutionizing how passengers access tickets, making queues, cash transactions, and paper tickets a thing of the past.The digital ticketing revolution is transforming the traditional railway journey. Passengers can now access tickets in a matter of seconds without waiting in long queues, thanks to the 574 ATVMs installed across Eastern Railway's network. The UTS-on-Mobile app offers even greater flexibility, allowing passengers to purchase and store tickets directly on their smartphones, eliminating the need to visit stations altogether. This shift not only saves time but also empowers travellers with a seamless, cashless, and eco-friendly experience.

ATVMs: A New Era of Ticketing

Eastern Railway's ATVMs have become a vital part of the modernized ticketing system, with over 81 million tickets issued between April and December 2024. These machines have been instrumental in reducing crowding at stations, offering passengers 24/7 access to tickets and supporting various types of travel, including general, platform, and season tickets.

Key features of the ATVMs include

  • Instant ticket generation available round the clock
  • Multilingual interface for ease of use
  • Contactless smart cards for quick and secure transactions
  • Eco-friendly options that minimize paper waste
  • Versatile ticketing options with just a few taps

In the Sealdah and Howrah Divisions, ATVMs alone accounted for a substantial portion of revenue, while Asansol Division saw significant contributions, with 37% of tickets issued and 29% of revenue stemming from these machines.

UTS-on-Mobile: Ticketing on the Go

For those constantly on the move, the UTS-on-Mobile app has proven to be a game-changer. With over 22.8 million tickets issued between April and December 2024, the app provides passengers with the ability to purchase and manage their tickets from the convenience of their smartphones. The app also supports features like paperless ticketing, cashless transactions, and real-time booking?ensuring that passengers can travel without the stress of queues or cash handling.

Key benefits of UTS-on-Mobile include

  • Paperless, digital tickets stored directly on smartphones
  • Cashless transactions through the R-Wallet system
  • Real-time booking capabilities, even moments before travel
  • Discounts and cashback for R-Wallet users
  • Seamless QR code validation at select stations
  • Eco-friendly travel with reduced paper waste

Eastern Railway?s digital ticketing solutions are set to continue evolving. Future enhancements include expanding the ATVM network, integrating AI-based predictive tools, and improving the UTS-on-Mobile app with features such as real-time train tracking and seat availability. These developments are part of a broader initiative to create a fully digital, paperless railway ecosystem that aligns with the Government of India?s Digital India mission.The ongoing awareness campaigns, including interactive demonstrations and collaborations with local communities, are further encouraging passengers to adopt these digital tools and experience the benefits firsthand.

A Vision for the Future

As Eastern Railway moves forward with these innovations, passengers across the network are already enjoying

  • Time savings from reduced queues and faster ticketing processes
  • Convenience with ticket access anytime, anywhere
  • Cost-efficiency with discounts for smart card users
  • Sustainability through paperless, eco-friendly practices

With these digital ticketing solutions, Eastern Railway is not just modernizing its services it's empowering passengers, reducing congestion, and making railway travel more efficient, greener, and smarter than ever before.