Commuters who use trains regularly can save themselves from waiting at ticket counters, as the Southern Railway has introduced QR code for booking unreserved tickets using UTS mobile App.
Representative Image
Chennai:
“QR codes are pasted in all the local railway stations in the suburban section of Chennai area. Passengers can book tickets by scanning the codes. It will take less than a minute to buy tickets through UTS mobile app,” Priamvada Viswanathan, Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Southern Railway said.
The Railway has introduced UTS mobile app to buy tickets, but the users must have GPS system on smartphones. “At times, the users’ GPS system may malfunction and cause difficulty. Keeping the shortcoming in mind, QR codes have been introduced in place of GPS,” she added.
However, passengers should book tickets before boarding trains as the QR codes are pasted in the concourse area and entrance of railway stations. “To buy season tickets, QR code is not necessary. Commuters can buy season tickets using the application as usual,” the official clarified.
Only one ticket could be bought at a time by scanning the QR code. To buy another ticket, the passenger would have to scan the code again.
“Passengers will get five per cent bonus if they use R-Wallet for buying tickets. They can also use other modes of digital payment to buy tickets,” she said, noting that five per cent of the unreserved ticket sales are now being sold through the UTS mobile app. Presently, QR codes are provided only in stations in Chennai suburban. The new system would be expanded to other railway stations, she added.
Two special trains for Deepavali
Southern Railway has decided to operate two unreserved special trains to southern districts during Deepavali. “We have already announced 23 special trains on various routes and the trains are almost full. So, steps are taken to operate two or three unreserved special trains,” Priamvada Viswanathan said. Apart from 23 special trains for Deepavali, the Southern Railway has also announced 35 special trains during November and 28 special trains during December. “Additional special trains will be announced for Sabarimala and Melmaruvathur [pilgrimage] seasons,” she added.