Centre for Railway Information Systems Launches New Enhanced Interface for Train Enquiry.

   Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), the IT wing of Indian Railways, has developed an enhanced new interface for the www.trainenquiry.comfor dissemination of information to public. National Train Enquiry System (NTES) developed by CRIS is the backend system which collects information about train running on near real time basis and disseminates information through various interfaces like nationwide unique number 139, Website (www.trainenquiry.com), face to face enquiry, mobile interfaces etc. The new interface is accessible through www.trainenquiry.com or www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in.

   The new interface for the website was made public for past one week as field trial to get users’ feedback. The new interface, which offers quick and easy access to essential information for passengers, has been largely appreciated for its speed, simple interface and richness of information and smooth user experience. This new interface has been launched with effect from 6th September 2013.

Ticketing Through Non-Internet Based Mobile Phones.

   A pilot project of ticketing through non-internet based mobile phones has been launched by IRCTC on 1st July 2013.  The salient features of the scheme are as follows:-

·        There is no need of internet at any stage, viz. booking, payment, cancellation etc.

·        The user gets ticket details Short Messaging Service (SMS) instantly.

·        SMS along with Photo Identity Card in original can be used to travel, no printout of the ticket is required.
 
          The steps taken to popularize the booking of tickets through non-internet based mobile phones through SMS mode are as follows:

Railway Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Launches SMS Based Ticketing System.

Railway Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Launches SMS Based Ticketing System

This New System will Improve Customer Convenience and Empower the Common Man: Kharge

   The Minister of Railways Shri Mallikarjun Kharge launched SMS based ticketing system at a function here today. While addressing a gathering on the occasion, Shri Kharge said that this user-friendly service which will be effective from today i.e 28th June 2013, is being introduced in order to further improve the customer convenience and empower the common man who does not have access to internet and cannot afford to buy smart phones. He said that since the mobile penetration in India has increased rapidly and more than 80 per cent people have mobile phones, this new system will be helpful in enabling booking of tickets by masses themselves. Ticket booking through non-internet based mobile, introduced as a pilot project by Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Public Sector Undertaking of the Ministry of Railways, will also help Railways in overcoming the menace of touting whereby unsuspecting people are fleeced by such elements. This will particularly be useful for labourers and workers staying away from their home and who have to book tickets for travel to their native place, the Minister added.

   The Railway Minister further said that inconvenience in booking reserved railway tickets has been a cause of concern for all.  In order to facilitate easy access, Indian Railways have been making efforts by expanding the    passenger reservation system counters network.  The online booking through IRCTC has now grown up to about 45% of total reserved tickets.  This has eased the rush at counters to a great extent. While internet access in India is only about 10%, mobiles are now in easy reach and more than 80% people in our country use mobile phones, the Minister said.

Time limit for Advance Reservation by train reduced to 60 Days with effect from 01-05-2013.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.2007/TG-I/20/P/ARP

New Delhi, dated 25.04.2013

The Chief Commercial Managers,
All Zonal Railways.

(COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR NO.34 OF 2013)

Sub: Time limit for Advance Reservation.

   It has been decided that w.e.f. 01.05.2013, the existing time limit for advance reservations by trains will be reduced from 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey) as mentioned below:-

   i. With effect from 01.05.2013, the ARP will be of 60 days (excluding the day of journey) and bookings will be done accordingly. However, all the bookings done upto 30.04.2013 under the ARP of 120 days will remain intact.

   ii. Cancellations of the booking made beyond the ARP of 60 days will, however, be permitted.

   iii. There will be no change in the case of certain day time express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express, etc. where lower time limits for advance reservations are at present in force.

   iv. There will also be no change in the case of limit of 360 days for Foreign Tourists.

   2. Wide publicity through all possible means may be given for information of general public.

Sd/-
(Dr. S.K. Ahirwar)
Director Traffic Commercial (G)
Railway Board

Source: NFIR

SMS Service for Different Kinds of Train Related Enquiries on “139-Rail Sampark”

   “139-Rail Sampark”, the national enquiry for Indian Railways has been in operation for around 5 years now.  The services on this number i.e. 139 handles enquiries pertaining to PNR Status, Current Train running position, Accommodation availability and Fare Enquiry.

   Apart from voice enquiry on IVRS, the above mentioned services are also available through SMS. Passenger can get the desired information by sending SMS to 139 in the following format.

   The details of SMSs services available and the format are as under:

1.      For ticket status Enquiry:

SMS “PNR <10 Digit PNR Number>
For example: PNR 4341568666

2.      For Train Arrival/Departure Enquiry:

SMS “AD <Train number> <STD code of Station>”
For example: AD 12012 011

3.      For Accommodation  availability:

SMS “SEAT <Train number> <DOJ**ddmmyy> <Station from: STD code> <station to: STD code> <class> <Quota>***

For example SEAT 12561 010712 0542 0571 SL G

4.      Fare enquiry

SMS “FARE <Train number> < DOJ**ddmmyy> <Station from: STD code> <station to: STD code> <class> <Quota>***
For Example: FARE 12561 010712 0542 0571 SL G

5.      Time table:

SMS “TIME <train number>
For example: TIME 12561

6.      Spot/  Locate train:

SMS “SPOT <train number> or LOCATE <train number>
For example: SPOT 12561 or LOCATE 12561

7.      Train Name/Number:

SMS “TN <train number> or SMS “TN <train name>
For Example TN 12724 or TN AP EXPRESS

       8.   Getting all syntaxes
 
   To get the above all mentioned  syntaxes, SMS HELP or RAIL  to 139
Note: Quota is optional field. For example, please enter G for general, CK for tatkal

          For CLASS field, please enter 1A for First AC, 2A for Second AC, 3A for third AC, SL for Sleeper, CC for AC Chair Car, 2S for Second Sitting    
     
The service is also available on USSD for Reliance, Uninor, Docomo and Vodafone Telephone Service Providers.  Just dial *139# to avail the USSD facility for enquiry of PNR, Arrival/Departure etc.

Source:PIB