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The Central Railway division in Mumbai has introduced new measures to improve ticket checking and reduce cash handling. The measures include the use of body cameras and a QR code facility for accepting fines from passengers who do not have valid travel tickets.
In a pilot project, the Central Railway has provided 50 body cameras to local train ticket collectors. The cameras aim to prevent misbehavior and violent acts during ticket checking, as well as detect discrepancies during the examination, increase accountability and professionalism, and protect staff reputation. If the response to the pilot project is positive, more cameras will be provided.
To reduce cash handling, the railway has also provided local train ticket collectors with a QR code facility for accepting payments in terms of fines from passengers. Before this, ticket collectors collected cash fines from passengers who travelled without valid tickets. The SBI YONO mobile application can be downloaded onto ticket examiners’ mobile phones, and a terminal ID has been created for payment through UPI, which goes directly into the Railways’ account.
The introduction of the QR code facility and body cameras will make ticket checking more transparent and secure. The QR code facility will provide a safe and convenient way for passengers to make payments, reducing cash handling and promoting the Digital India Mission. Body cameras will also help to prevent misbehaviour and violent acts, increasing accountability, and professionalism among staff.
The Western Railway is also planning to introduce similar initiatives such as the QR code facility and body cameras. In the Konkan railway division, the QR code facility is already in use to collect fines from erring passengers.
By making ticket checking more transparent and secure, the railway aims to provide a better experience for its passengers.