17 Jun, 2013
Indian Railways to Launch Ticket Booking via Mobile Phones
Ministry of Railways, 17-June, 2013 – Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC),a public Sector Undertaking of the Ministry of Railways, will be launching a pilot project of ticketing through non-internet based mobile phones with effect from 1st July 2013. This will enable anyone using non-internet based mobile phones to easily access Railway ticketing services through SMS/IVRS/USSD. The scheme is user-friendly, secure and also eco-friendly, as no printout is required.
Indian Railways has continuously endeavored to improve the ease and access of ticketing. The e-ticketing initiative has been one of its most passenger-friendly initiatives, as announced by the Minister of Railways in presenting the Railway Budget earlier this year. The objective was to tap the potential of mobile phone market in India and providing anyone a free booking option anywhere at any time.
The salient features of this new scheme are:
• There will be a dedicated number on which SMS can be sent.
• No need of internet at any stage viz. booking, payment, cancellation etc.
• One has to register the mobile number with IRCTC as well as one’s bank. The Bank (one time password) for authorization of payment.
• The passenger has to type the train number, destination, journey date, class and passenger details like name, age and gender on the SMS box.
• The sender will receive transaction ID and then make payment through sending another SMS by typing PAY followed by the transaction ID, MMID as received from the bank and password.
• On successful booking of ticket, message will be sent to the user by IRCTC which will suffice as valid authority to travel along with photo ID card in original.
• Cancellation of tickets can also be done through the cancellation option available.
• The scheme will be on pilot basis and will not be available during the 8 am – 12 pm for booking ARP/Tatkal/General tickets.
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