Now tickets can be booked on South Western Rail's UTS app

Bengaluru: South Western Railway launched its Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) smartphone application on Monday, eradicating the commuter's need to stand in long queues to buy tickets. Local, season and platform tickets can be purchased on this app, available on Windows and Android currently.

" The user must deposit money in the Railway wallet (R-Wallet), that can be recharged  through PayTM, Mobikwik or online. The features includes booking, renewal of paper and paperless tickets along with recharge, profile management and booking history," Senior Divisional Commercial Railway Manager Sridhar Murthy said.

"The catch remains that a paperless ticket cannot be booked within the ticketing zone and has to booked three hours before the journey commences or the first train arrives, whichever is first. The app will also identify stations near the commuter within a 5 km radius," Murthy added.

The R Waller recharge can vary from Rs 100 to Rs 5000 and will have to be surrendered. if needed, in person by sharing the secret code received on SMS, with the nearest booking operator. The cash gets refunded to the passengers thereafter.

"Paperless tickets can't be cancelled and in case the commuter is unable to produce the ticket on the phone, they will be penalized. The ticket can be booked through the app and the person can get a printout at the counter or from an ATVM, or even display their QR code to the TC.