Significant Efforts to Curb Ticketless Travel Amidst Increased Apprehensions
Kolkata, November 20, 2024:
In response to ongoing concerns over ticketless travel, Eastern Railway has ramped up enforcement efforts, apprehending a staggering 89,606 individuals caught traveling without valid tickets or with unbooked luggage between November 1st and November 15th, 2024. This significant number highlights the continued issue of ticketless travel despite the introduction of various modern amenities designed to enhance the passenger experience.
The breakdown of these apprehensions is as follows:
Howrah Division: 34,436 individuals
Sealdah Division: 32,096 individuals
Asansol Division: 19,065 individuals
Malda Division: 4,009 individuals
Despite ongoing efforts to promote ticket compliance, the number of cases continues to highlight the challenge of enforcing proper ticketing practices.
Digital Solutions to Facilitate Ticket Purchasing
In response to the ongoing issue of ticketless travel, Eastern Railway has also introduced a major technological advancement to make ticket purchasing more accessible and efficient for passengers. As of November 2024, a total of 1,051 ticketing counters across the Eastern Railway network are now equipped with QR code payment devices. This initiative aims to provide a seamless and convenient ticket purchasing experience, reducing the likelihood of passengers traveling without tickets.
The QR code payment system is available at:
807 Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) counters
159 Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters
85 unified UTS-cum-PRS counters
Passengers can now purchase tickets using popular mobile payment apps, including UPI, Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay, simply by scanning the QR code at the counter. This method ensures quick, secure, and contactless transactions, facilitating faster processing and reducing wait times at the counters.
Commitment to Digital India and Cashless Transactions
This initiative is aligned with the national objectives of a “Digital India” and a “Less-Cash Economy.” By offering passengers the option of digital payments, Eastern Railway is contributing to the broader goal of promoting cashless transactions in public services, enhancing both convenience and safety for travelers.
Eastern Railway continues to emphasize that traveling without a valid ticket is a punishable offense under railway regulations. With the introduction of QR code payments and the widespread availability of ticketing facilities, passengers are encouraged to use the available resources to ensure they are traveling with a valid ticket. This not only helps maintain law and order on the railway but also contributes to the smooth functioning of the network.
