Mumbai: Western Railway sees 16 per cent growth in ticket sales via app

Railways has recently modified the distance restriction for booking tickets via the app. Representation pic

Western Railway has registered a 16 per cent growth in local-train tickets sold through the mobile application ‘UTS on Mobile' after the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown.

Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer, of Western Railway, said, "This mode of ticketing has become a hit among rail passengers with more and more people switching to the mobile app, which is reflected in the impressive increase in the ticket sales from the app. The total tickets sold through the app has increased substantially during the period from April-November in the current financial year 2022-23."

It is important to note that the UTS on Mobile had been disabled due to the pandemic, from the start of the lockdown, in March 2020, till October 2021. Passengers favour it due to its multifarious benefits. It is evident from the fact that during the current year from April to November, 6.39 lakh passengers booked their tickets via UTS on Mobile, garnering WR revenue to the tune of R7,535 lakh, which is 24 per cent more as compared to the corresponding period in 2019-2020 which was Rs 6,081 lakh.

Thakur said the main objective behind introducing the app has been to encourage digital ticketing, promote self-ticketing and ensure that passengers can buy tickets without facing the ordeal of queues.

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"Recently, Railways modified the distance restriction for booking tickets via the app. For the non-suburban section, a uniform distance restriction for booking tickets through UTS on Mobile has been enhanced from the existing 5 km and fixed as 20 km for all zonal railways. In the case of the suburban section, a uniform distance restriction for booking tickets through the app has been enhanced from the existing 2 km and fixed as 5 km for all concerned zonal railways. This will allow passengers residing in faraway locations from railway stations to book tickets from the convenience of their homes. There is also the benefit of getting a 3 per cent bonus on R-Wallet recharge," Thakur said.