Trivandrum: In an effort to encourage cashless transactions and digital payments, Southern Railway has introduced QR (Quick Response) code-based payment of ticket fare in Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs). Journey and Platform tickets can be purchased using QR code facility. In addition, the renewal of season tickets can also be done. Further, smart card can also be recharged using QR codes generated in ATVMs.
Mode of Payment
Once the journey details are entered in the ATVM, for the purpose of payment three options will be displayed as under:
· Railway Smart Card
· BHIM UPI QR Code (Pay by Paytm)
· BHIM UPI QR Code (Pay by Freecharge)
On choosing any one of the two QR code-based payment options mentioned above, the QR code will be generated and displayed on the ATVM screen. The displayed QR code needs to be scanned through any UPI enabled app such as GPay, Paytm and Phonepe, etc. and proceeded with making the payment towards the cost of the ticket. Once the payment is completed, a physical ticket will pop out of the ATVM machine. Smart cards can also be recharged similarly by placing the card on the slot and accessing the QR code.
This facility, in addition to the existing smart card-based payment, will facilitate quick transactions and hassle-free cashless payments through ATVMs. Passengers can use the Digital QR code-based payment facility in ATVMs installed at stations for hassle-free cashless ticketing, saving time by avoiding queues at UTS counters.
Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM) have been installed in several stations of Southern Railway for booking journey tickets, platform tickets and renewal of season tickets. A total of 99 ATVM machines are installed and available at 6 divisions all over Southern Railway.