<\/p>\n
H. C. Kunwar
\nDeputy Director (Media & Communication), PIB, New Delhi.
\nThe user-friendly SMS based ticketing system which has already been effective since 28th June 2013, is being introduced by the Indian Railways in order to further improve the customer convenience and empower the common man who does not have access to internet and cannot afford to buy smart phones.
\nSince the mobile penetration in India has increased rapidly, this new system will be helpful in enabling booking of tickets by masses themselves. Ticket booking through non-internet based mobile, introduced as a pilot project by Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Public Sector Undertaking of the Ministry of Railways, will also help Railways in overcoming the menace of touting whereby unsuspecting people are fleeced by such elements.
\nThis will particularly be useful for labourers and workers staying away from their home and who have to book tickets for travel to their native place.
\nInconvenience in booking reserved railway tickets has been a cause of concern for all.
\nIn order to facilitate easy access, Indian Railways have been making efforts by expanding the passenger reservation system counters network.
\nThe online booking through IRCTC has now grown up to about 45% of total reserved tickets. This has eased the rush at counters to a great extent. While internet access in India is only about 10%, mobiles are now in easy reach and more than 80% people in our country use mobile phones.
\nThe key features of ticket booking on mobile are as follow:-
\nRailway e-ticket now on mobile
\n\u2022 IRCTC introduces for the first time a non-internet based ticketing system that will empower masses even in remote areas to use the omnipresent mobile device to make reservations.
\n\u2022 Millions of rail travellers can now use their mobile phones to book tickets in a simple, convenient and secured manner.
\n\u2022 It uses simple SMS or menu-based USSD technology which works on all mobile phones and involves no internet and costs very little.
\n\u2022 The services can be availed by IRCTC registered users only.
\nAdvantages of booking IRCTC tickets via mobile
\n\u2022 No need to stand in long queues or log onto the internet.
\n\u2022 Simple, reliable and secured.
\n\u2022 Accessible to any mobile user.
\n\u2022 Very little charges for accessing the service.
\n\u2022 Works on all handsets.
\n\u2022 Simple user guided menu \u2013 book tickets, search for stations, trains, availability.
\nBook your ticket through USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) based booking for Airtel subscribers*
\nRegistration
\n\u2022 Register for Airtel money by dialing *400#.
\n\u2022 Load cash on this or recharge from any Airtel money outlet.
\nBooking Flow
\n\u2022 Dial *400# and select book tickets option.
\n\u2022 Select Reservation.
\n\u2022 Enter your IRCTC User ID.
\n\u2022 Enter the details of ticket (station, train no. date of journey, class etc.).
\n\u2022 Enter mPIN for authorizing payment.
\n\u2022 Booking confirmation SMS is sent by IRCTC and same can be used during journey along with valid ID proof.
\n\u2022 Fare & IRCTC service charges are debited from your Airtel money account.
\n\u2022 Charges: No PG Charges.
\n\u2022 Agent \/ IRCTC Service Charges: As applicable Helpline No.: 121 Helpline Email : 121@airtelmoney.in
\nBook your ticket through SMS
\n1. SMS based booking through 139*
\nRegistration
\n\u2022 Register your mobile number with IRCTC as well as with your bank.
\n\u2022 Bank provides MMID (Mobile Money Identifier) & OTP (one time password) for authorization of payment. (More than 25 banks are providing this facility. For details, visit website: http:\/\/www.npci.org.in\/bankmember.aspx.)<\/p>\n
Book Railway Tickets
\nBooking Flow
\n\u2022 Send SMS, in the following syntax, to 139 BOOK <TrainNo><FromStn.Code><ToStn.Code> <TravelDate (DDMM)><Class><Passenger-Name><Age><M\/F>
\n\u2022 You will receive Transaction ID alongwith other details.
\n\u2022 Make payment through sending an SMS, in the following syntax, to 139 PAY <Transaction ID as received><IMPS><Your MMID as received from the bank><OTP, your one time password received for this transaction><IRCTCUserID> and your ticket is booked.
\n\u2022 Service is available to all mobile subscribers.
\n\u2022 SMSes @ Rs 3\/- per SMS (2 SMSes are required for each booking).
\n\u2022 PG charges Rs 5\/- for ticket amount <Rs 5000\/ and Rs 10\/- for ticket amount > Rs 5000\/- (as applicable by bank).
\n\u2022 Agent \/ IRCTC Service Charges: As applicable
\nHelpline No.: 139
\nHelpline Email : smsticket139@bharatbpo.in
\n2. SMS based booking through 5676714*
\nRegistration
\n\u2022 Register your mobile number with IRCTC as well as with m-wallet (http:\/\/www.zipcash.in\/user\/nlogin.aspx)
\n\u2022 Send SMS, to 5676717, in the following syntax START <irctc user Id> for user authentication (first time only)
\nBooking Flow
\n\u2022 Send an SMS to 5676714 to book a ticket in the following syntax: BOOK<From stn.code>,<to stn.code>, <DDMMYY>, <Trainno>,<Class>, <passenger name>,<age>,<M\/F>
\n\u2022 You will receive the Transaction number.
\n\u2022 Send the 2nd SMS, for payment, in the following syntax.
\n1. \u201cPAY <transaction no>, MPAY, <m-PIN>\u201d for authorizing payment through MPAY
\nor
\n2. \u201cPAY <mobileno>,<mmid>,<amount>, <transaction Id>,<OTP>\u201d for authorizing payment through IMPS.
\n\u2022 After payment is made booking confirmation is sent to your mobile.
\n\u2022 Charges: No PG Charges. Agent \/ IRCTC Service Charges: As applicable. SMSes @ Rs 3\/- per SMS (2 SMSes are required for each booking).
\nHelpline No. : 8882001001
\nHelpline Email : support@saarthii.com
\n3. SMS based booking through BSNL*
\nUser should have the following:
\n1. BSNL SIM card installed.
\n2. Java enabled mobile phone.
\n3. Andhra Bank Prepaid card.
\nThis is a menu driven application where user has to enter the details asked for in simple step-by-step process to get the ticket.
\nRegistration
\n\u2022 Install the application.
\n\u2022 Select the Register option to get the mPIN.
\nBooking
\n\u2022 Click the icon BSNL Prepaid Card
\n\u2022 Select Ticketing > Train (IRCTC)
\n\u2022 Fill up the journey details such as From stn, To Stn, Train No, DOJ, Class, Quota, passenger details.
\n\u2022 Enter the mPIN to get the ticket information.
\n\u2022 Charges: No PG Charges. Agent \/ IRCTC Service Charges: As applicable. SMSes without charges.
\nHelpline No. : +91-8801298038
\nHelpline Email : bsnl.support@pyrogroup.com
\n*This service will not be available between 0800-1200 hrs. However, the ticket can still be booked using mobile through IRCTC main site www.irctc.co.in
\n(PIB Feature).<\/p>\n\n