Looking for real-time authentic information on train timings and ancillary services provided by Indian Railways? Southern Railway has launched a mobile application to provide just that.
Named ‘Rail Partner’, the Android app rolled out for Indian Railways by the passenger marketing wing of the commercial department of Southern Railway on Friday provides an array of information and services and acts as a direct communication medium between passengers and Railways.
The initiative comes in the wake of complaints that the privately developed mobile apps related to train timings are not providing accurate information.
“They do not have any automatic updating mechanism of data since they are in no way directly connected to Railways,” a senior official of Southern Railway said.
The app will come in handy for the visually challenged also as they can use the ‘talk back’ facility on their smartphones.
Unique menu
The app provides direct call facilities to 20 most required helplines and support services in all divisions such as on-board medical assistance, RPF, GRP, women helpline, e-catering, child helpline, UTS-on-mobile, vigilance, etc., and also the phone numbers of all major stations of Southern Railway.
A unique menu listing all special trains (other than regular trains) based on the user’s preferred route is also provided. After downloading this app from the Play Store, there is a one-time registration.
For reserved train timings, the app is developed in such a way that it works both offline and online.
Online mode
Online usage will give the most up-to-date data so that customers are encouraged to keep the app in online mode always. SMS-based services include PNR status, spot your train, platform position, and on-board services.
All contact numbers that a passenger needs during a journey are provided in the app for direct calling. These include security, cleaning, catering, and running information. This is the first time Southern Railway is bringing out a train-running and business development application.