Rly tickets through non-internet based mobile phones

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to make the railway ticket booking system more user-friendly, the Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is launching a pilot project of ticketing through non-internet based mobile phones with effect from July 1, 2013.

The system which does not need internet at any stage viz. booking, payment, cancellation etc. will enable people using non-internet based mobile phones to easily access Railway ticketing services through SMS/IVRS/USSD.

While there will be a dedicated number on which SMS can be sent, a user has to register the mobile number with IRCTC as well as one’s bank for authorization of payment.

The passenger has to type the train number, destination, journey date, class and passenger details like name, age and gender on the SMS box. The sender will receive transaction ID and then make payment through sending another SMS by typing PAY followed by the transaction ID, MMID as received from the bank and password.

On successful booking of ticket, message will be sent to the user by IRCTC which will suffice as valid authority to travel along with photo ID card in original.

Cancellation of tickets can also be done through the cancellation option available.

The eco-friendly scheme which does not require print out, will be on pilot basis and will not be available during the 8 am - 12 pm for booking ARP/Tatkal/General tickets.