Railway Ministry Unveils RailOne App for Hassle-Free Ticket Booking

On July 2, Indian Railways introduced RailOne, a special one-stop solution app for all passenger services, in an effort to make travel easier and more pleasant for passengers.

On the occasion of the 40th Foundation Day of the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), which plans, develops, executes, and manages important information systems for Indian Railways, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled RailOne, the new software programme.

The new app is intended to act as a one-stop shop for all passenger demands and questions pertaining to railroads.

 By combining several services into one interface, it also seeks to improve passenger convenience. Users using iPhones and Android devices can now download RailOne from the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.

Vibrant Features of the RailOne

The ministry claims that the RailOne app also has features for enquiring about goods train services. According to the government, the customer receives a comprehensive package of Indian Railways services since all the services are housed in one location and have integrated communication between them.

Additionally, RailOne offers a single sign-on option that lessens the need for customers to memorise numerous passwords.

The app enables users to continue using their login credentials if they are already using the RailConnect or UTSonMobile applications for booking. They can use their current account and password to access RailOne.

Apart from that, app also features regular services such as booking train tickets, platform tickets, enquiry about train and its running status, checking PNR status, scheduling and planning journey, helpline services, ordering meal on the go etc.

Recent Transformations in the Indian Railways

The Ministry has required that Aadhaar-verified IRCTC IDs be used to book tatkal and emergency tickets from July 1. This action attempts to stop IRCTC partner agents from abusing the system by booking tickets in large quantities, which frequently prevents actual travellers from securing bookings.

The first reservation chart timing revision is another important change to train services. The chart will no longer be prepared four hours before the train's scheduled departure; instead, it will now be prepared eight hours beforehand.

A minor change to Indian Railways' existing train prices has also been announced. The new structure will result in a 0.01 per kilometre increase in rates for non-AC mail and express trains and a 0.02 per kilometre increase for AC class fares.

Suburban rates, second-class tickets for trips under 500 km, and monthly season tickets will not be affected by this change, nevertheless. Vaishnaw praised the CRIS team's efforts to upgrade the current Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and urged them to concentrate on further fortifying the digital core of the Indian Railways.

According to a Railways spokesperson, the new PRS would be scalable, multilingual, and nimble enough to manage ten times the existing load. It would be able to process 40 lakh enquiries and 1.5 lakh ticket bookings every minute.

He went on to say that the new PRS will be inclusive, feature sophisticated fare calendar and seat selection features, and incorporate alternatives for patients, students, and divyangjan (those with disabilities), among others.