Hubballi- Dharwad Railway Stations Go Digital with QR Code Ticket Purchases

Hubballi NEWS Express: A Quick Response (QR) code facility to purchase of General Class tickets through Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) counters has been introduced across at 102 counters spread across 87 stations in the jurisdiction of Hubballi Division of South Western Railway.

QR code scanners have been installed in UTS counters.  The UPI mode of swift payment gives relief to passengers from paying exact denomination.

Passengers can also purchase unreserved train journey tickets and platform tickets by scanning QR codes through Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM) installed at various railway stations of Division.   ATVMs at the railway stations are stand-alone booths that are touch-screen based. Passengers can pay digitally for the tickets without any smart cards.

Here are a few simple steps that passengers have to follow while making QR Code payments at the Indian Railway Stations:

• At the ATVM, select a route for ticket booking

• Select the payment option

• Scan the QR code that is displayed on the Automatic Ticket Vending Machine (ATVM) screen.

• Based on the selection a physical ticket will be generated.

A QR code scan trial for booking ticket through Passenger Reservation System (PRS) was performed and UPI payment was accepted. It is available at Hubballi and Dharward railway stations on pilot basis. The facility is enabled at one PRS counter where passengers need to scan a QR code to make the payment via any UPI app.

The scanners outside the ticket counter, which displays the journey details, fare and a code to make digital payments through UPI.  Passengers can scan this with the UPI apps on their mobile phones to make payment. After confirmation of the receipt of the amount, the ticket will be generated and issued to the passenger, said Santosh Hegde, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager.

Already all the Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) counters have been provided with QR code scanners to facilitate digital transactions.  “There was a problem of loose change when travellers bought ticket. After the advent of digital payment, people also find it more convenient to pay via this mode,” he added.

The facility of QR code will help more and more digitalization and ease of buying tickets. Payment through QR code facility has been provided across all the shops, food plazas, Pay and Use toilets, parking lots in the division. This has been the top priority of ministry of railways to provide better facilities to passengers said Harsh Khare, Divisional Railway Manager, Hubballi Division of South Western Railway.