Here's how Indian Railways is promoting digital transactions
What's the story
Recently Rajen Gohain, the Minister of State for Railways, declared that the percentage of train tickets booked digitally is on the rise, having risen to 66% of total reserved tickets in 2017-18, from 60% in 2016-17.
This rise comes on the back of persistent efforts by the Indian Railways to promote digital transactions.
For those unaware, here's how the Railways is promoting digital bookings.
Online payments
About bookings on the IRCTC website, service charge waiver
In order to promote online, digital payments, the Indian Railways permits payments over its online portal through a number of cashless mediums, including debit/credit cards, cash cards, e-wallets, and Unified Payment Interface (UPI)/Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM).
Furthermore, the department also withdrew service charge on online ticket bookings from November 23, 2016, and the waiver remains valid till August 31, 2018.
POS
About digital over-the-counter payments, introducing POS machines
Lately, the Indian Railways has also started accepting digital payments via UPI/BHIM for over-the-counter ticket bookings. To further promote such transactions, a discount of 5% on basic fare amount is also offered to passengers.
Additionally, the Railways has tied up with SBI for installing 10,000 Point of Sale (POS) machines at various payment-stations like PRS/UTS ticket booking counters and Parcel/Goods locations for card-based transactions.
Mobile, Int'l payments
About making payments from mobile, accepting international cards
The Railways has also introduced ticket bookings from mobile phones, and payments can be done through credit or debit cards, mobile wallets, net banking, etc.
Notably, the service charge amount that was earlier applicable on debit/credit card payments at PRS and UTS counters has also been withdrawn.
Additionally, international debit/credit cards are also accepted for ticket bookings, thereby promoting cashless transactions among foreign tourists.
ATVMs, discounts
About ATVM-based bookings, and season ticket discounts
Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) have also been introduced, that accept payments via smart cards for sale of unreserved train tickets.
Further, a 3% bonus is given to users on every smart card recharge.
Additionally, the Railways, from January 1, 2017, started offering a 0.5% discount on season tickets purchased via digital transactions. The offer is valid up to 31 August, 2018.
Others
About bookings of retiring rooms, date extension for insurance cover
On top of all these, customers booking retiring rooms via digital means also get a 5% discount on whatever they're required to pay.
To further incentivize digital transactions, the Railways has extended the date for providing free-of-cost accidental insurance cover up to Rs. 10 lakh for confirmed/Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) online ticket holders to August 31, 2018.