Egmore Station
I’ve been travelling by train for as long as I can remember and love train journeys. Infact, when we lived in Tirunelveli, we used to take the train to come to Chennai and back, for all holidays. It would so happen that we would hop on the evening train, right after my last exam or last day of school and get back the morning of school reopening. I remember rushing home, changing into uniform and hopping across the wall to school. Yes, the school was that close by.
Back then, we would get into Egmore Railway station and exit from there. The beauty of the station was the car could come right into the platform, next to the coach. Tickets on the other hand were a printed small carboard type thing, and each one had a ticket which had to be showed to the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE). Since then. I have done a range of train travel in India and outside- from short ones to really long ones [ 23hrs to Goa from Chennai & the more recent 36+hrs from Bombay to Kolkata]]
Recently, took a train from Bangalore to Chennai and back, things are so different now. It got me thinking and going down the journey of how the Indian railways has evolved. Indian Railways, one of the world’s largest railway networks, has undergone a significant transformation over the decades. From the era of handwritten tickets to the present-day seamless digital experience, the journey of ticketing in Indian Railways reflects technological advancements and an evolving customer experience. Let’s take a look at how things have changed over the years.
The Era of Individual Paper Tickets
In the early days, buying a train ticket meant visiting a railway station and standing in long queues at the ticket counter. Each passenger had to purchase a physical paper ticket, often handwritten or printed on thick cardstock. These tickets were checked by the TTE against a printed reservation chart. Losing a ticket meant buying a new one, as there was no digital record available.
The Introduction of Online Booking
With the rise of the internet, Indian Railways introduced online ticket booking in the early 2000s through the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) website. This was a game-changer, allowing passengers to book their tickets from the comfort of their homes. Initially, a printed copy of the e-ticket, along with a valid ID, was required for verification during travel. This step significantly reduced the need for physical tickets and long queues at the railway stations. I remember the days when I would be up early, and login at 8am or 10am to get a tatkal ticket [booking opened at a particular time and would be sold out in no time] and then there were agents/touts who helped people get tatkal ticket for a small fee. It felt like such a hassle – waiting, refreshing the page, struggling to find tickets on a train that one desired and then to wait and see what seats were assigned.
The E-Ticket and Seat Number Sharing Era
As technology progressed, Indian Railways moved towards a more flexible system. The printed e-ticket soon became optional, and passengers could simply share their seat number with a valid ID proof when asked by the TTE. This transition marked a move towards reducing paper usage and making travel more efficient. The shift also made last-minute ticket modifications and cancellations more convenient for travellers.
The Present: Just Your Name is Enough
Today, the ticketing process has become even more seamless. The need to show a printed ticket or even an ID card has been minimized in many cases. When the TTE arrives for verification, they simply ask for the passenger’s name, which they cross-check against the digital reservation list on their handheld device. This digitalization has streamlined the entire process, making travel hassle-free for millions of passengers daily.
The Future of Ticketing in Indian Railways
Looking ahead, Indian Railways is likely to continue its digital transformation. With advancements in AI, biometric verification, and facial recognition, we may soon see ticketless travel becoming the norm. Aadhar-linked ticketing, mobile app-based bookings, and AI-driven customer service will further enhance the passenger experience, making railway travel even more convenient and efficient.
From the days of physical tickets to today’s name-based verification, Indian Railways has come a long way in simplifying the ticketing process. The transition has not only enhanced passenger convenience but also reduced paper wastage and improved efficiency. As technology continues to evolve, the future of Indian Railways promises to be even more innovative and passenger-friendly, ensuring that millions continue to travel with ease and comfort. For what it’s worth, the joy of travelling by train hasnt changed and hopefully it never does~~
