Automatic ticket vending machines to be installed in electric trains in Chennai
Posted on: 08/Sep/2015 5:00:19 PM
More than 3 lakh commuters use the suburban electric train services in Chennai Metro City.
Persons having monthly season tickets or the facility to get tickets through cell-phone save a lot of time by getting into the train straightaway to travel.
Those who have to buy tickets will have to spend a lot of time standing in a long queue. The queues tend to be longer during the rush hours in the mornings & evenings.
Railways have been taking various measures to reduce this and simplify the ticket buying procedure. Smart card system is already in service. However, this has not been very popular.
Now, Railways have decided to set up machines which will accept the currency notes or coins inserted and dispense tickets automatically.
In the 1st phase, this will be installed in crowded stations like Egmore & Mambalam.
Initially, only 1st Class tickets will be dispensed from these machines.
Coins of denominations of Rs. 5/- & Rs. 10/- and currency notes of denominations of Rs. 5/- to Rs. 1000/-.
The screen in the dispenser will give details of coins and currency notes acceptable.
The correct amount has to be paid within 60 seconds. Later than this, tickets will not be dispensed. The inserted money will be ejected out.
The vending machines will dispense the printed tickets as done in the counters. In one attempt, tickets for 4 people to travel in 2nd class and 4 platform tickets will be dispensed.
As for the 1st Class ticket, the machine will dispense only one ticket.
Officials informed that this new facility is likely to be introduced in some stations.
