Today, Indian Railways has launched SMS based ticketing system with numbers: 139 and 5676714. Users can easily book ticket with non Internet based phones. Now, people do not need to go to ticket counters and Internet cafes for ticket booking.
“In order to give improved customer service and empower the common man who does not have access to internet and cannot afford to buy smart phones, we are today launching SMS ticket booking service”, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said.
“This will also help reduce touting activities. We will see how it functions… If there are shortcomings, then we will try to change accordingly”, he said.
In India, almost 80 percent users have mobile phones, this system will be helpful in enabling booking of tickets by masses themselves. Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal hopers that this new service will enhance the scope of ticketing.
On payment mode, Mittal said “payment through mobiles is still in an evolving state and commercial Banks, RBI and National Payment Corporation of India are working on providing a safe, secured and quick payment mechanism through mobile.”
To use this service, one has to register the mobile number with IRCTS as well as bank. Bank will provide MMID (Mobile Money Identifier) and OTP (One Time Password) for payment authorization.
For booking tickets, passenger has to type train number, destination, journey date, class, passenger details (Name, Age and Gender). Sender will receive transaction ID and then make payment through sending SMS by typing PAY followed by transaction ID, MMID and OTP.
For SMS, Rs, 3 will be charged per sms and payment gateway charges Rs. 5 for amount up to Rs. 5000 and Rs. 10 for amount more than Rs. 5000.
