It is genuinely the age of digital transformation, and one sector that has, in my view, really adopted technology is the railway sector. Now, Indian Railways has designed one such innovation by the name of the UTS app, which helps in booking an unreserved ticket more smoothly and efficiently for passengers. So, what is UTS? Let's explore this app in its entirety, and we can go through every aspect concerning features, benefits of its usage, and how it gives a beautiful and new feel to railway travels in India.
In partnership with the Centre for Railway Information Systems, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has come up with its new application, called UTS, which stands for Unreserved Ticketing System. This application was launched in December 2014. With the help of this application, a passenger can now book an unreserved ticket from anywhere in his smartphone to save himself from long queues at the stations.
Unreserved tickets are mostly issued for short-distance or suburban train journeys where a reservation is not required. The app helps millions of passengers traveling daily on the vast Indian Railways network.
The UTS app will bring mass convenience by streamlining the ticketing processes and promoting paperless travel in Indian Railways, one of the world's largest rail networks.
Key Features of the UTS App
1. Paperless Ticketing
One of the key outputs provided by the UTS app is paperless ticketing, which involves booking passenger tickets on the app and displaying digital versions on their mobile while traveling. It encourages green travel, reduces paper utilization, and facilitates station premises decluttering by reducing the count of ticket counters.2. Multiple ticket types
The UTS app assists in various unreserved ticket booking options:
General Unreserved Ticket: For travel across in general or unreserved coaches.
Platform Ticket: For passengers traveling to a station to send off or receive their constituents.
Season Ticket: For regular passengers, the application allows for season ticket purchase and renewal at a discount.
QR Code Ticketing: Passengers can enter the station premises by scanning these codes on the automatic gates since they are produced by the application.
3. Wallet Loading
The application also offers versatility in integration with a digital wallet, such as R-Wallet, which is used only on the UTS service. This means that passengers can top up their R-Wallet and pay for journeys without surcharging on the transaction.4. Train Timetables and Schedules
The application offers information for passengers on timetables for trains, when a train will arrive or leave, and on which platform it shall be. That way, they may know their schedules.
5. Commuter and Inter-City Travel
Uts somewhat has shifted from being rather limited to suburban railways in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata; it now allows a facility for services extending till long-distance trains, although unreserved travel is where its focus lies.
6. Multi-User Login
The app supports multiple users logging in from the same device, which is of good use for families or groups having the same phone but traveling individually.7. GPS-Based Ticketing
Paperless ticket holders are allowed to stand on any part of the train except in the reserved coach, provided there is a minimum distance of the station for a paperless ticket to be considered valid. GPS avoids booking after getting into the train.
Advantages of the UTS Mobile App
1. Saves Time
UTSAAP provides booking of tickets from anywhere and at any time without standing in a ticket counter queue. Whether you are in a hurry to the station or planning your journey in advance, booking a ticket requires only a few taps.2. Contactless and Cashless Transactions
Contactless and cashless transactions have become important in the present scenario. Card-based transactions/digital wallet/UPI transactions in the UTS enable contactless and cashless travel across cities.
3. Paperless Travel
The UTS app contributes towards environmental sustainability by providing paperless ticketing. The app helps to save paper as tickets can be displayed on the phone so that a printed version is not required.
4. Avoid long queues.
The primary reason for delayed train travel, especially in crowded urban areas, is long queues at the ticket counters. The UTS app solves this issue as booking can be done from home or on the go, and waiting is drastically reduced.
5. Fast Ticketing for Suburban Commuters
For a commuter, the UTS app will give an easy way of booking tickets or renewing season tickets without any delay.
6. User Interface
The application of UTS is made to be plain. Literally, no one, technically not that wise, will have problems navigating through an application interface to book a ticket or see the train's schedule.
7. Instant Refund
In case of any cancellation requirement for your journey, refunds can easily be processed through the UTS app into the wallet or payment mode. There is less hassle and more peace of mind.
How to Use the UTS App: A Step-by-Step Guide
Starting to use the UTS app
The process of downloading and installing is very simple. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use the app to book tickets:1. Download and install
The UTS app is both Android and iOS compatible. Download from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Registration
Open the app after installation and seek the tab "Register."Enter your mobile number, name, and city, and other such information. You will get an OTP for verification.
After the OTP verifies, you can create your password to complete the registration process.
3. Add funds to R-Wallet
Once you have registered, you can login to the app using your mobile number and password.You must fund your UTS R-Wallet to book tickets. The minimum balance is Rs. 100.
You can top up your wallet via UPI, credit card, debit card, or net banking.
4. Booking a Ticket
Open the app and select "Book Ticket."You will get options such as "normal booking," "quick booking, or "season ticket.".
Input source station, destination station, class of travel, and the number of passengers.
The app will calculate the fare and indicate to you
Tap "Book Ticket," and your ticket would be produced and would be saved under the "Booked Tickets."
5. Paperless Tickets
Ensure your device has enabled your location services, that is, GPS.On booking, an online paperless ticket can be retrieved in the app under "Booked Tickets.".
Show this e-ticket to the ticket inspector while traveling.
6. Cancel a Ticket
In case you want to cancel a ticket, scroll through "Booked Tickets," choose your ticket you'd like to cancel, and tap on "Cancel." All refunds will be credited to your R-Wallet instantly.7. Train Timings and Schedules
You can even view train schedules and platforms here as well.Tap on "Train Information" to see details on your route specifically.
Evolution of UTS App
The UTS app, which was launched in 2014, targeted suburban rail users in only big metros like Mumbai and Chennai. As its popularity and utility increased gradually, the application expanded and started including more stations and services, covering most major cities of India. Paperless ticketing became available in the year 2018, wherein the ticket is not to be printed; instead, it can be shown digitally.Among other highly significant add-ons, the UTS app also included QR-code-based ticketing and enabled users to scan the code at station gates to gain access to their trains with ease of travel.
There were some problems associated with the very initial launch of UTS. These included low awareness of the app and issues with GPS-based ticketing within one particular region. However, all such issues have been smoothened through subsequent updates in the app, and now it is more reliable and easy to use.
Challenges and Limitations
Although the UTS app offers these many advantages, there are some limits that users should be aware of:
1. Internet and GPS Dependency
Internet connectivity must be stable, and access to GPS must also be available to book for paperless tickets. Passengers traveling in regions with poor network coverage may not be able to book through this system.2. It Does Not Work for Reserved Tickets
The app is only for unreserved tickets. If you want reserved seats or sleeper class tickets, you should use the IRCTC Rail Connect app.
3. Limited Access to Rural Areas
Although the UTS app covers most of the city and the big stations, its services are still being expanded for all the rural and semi-urban areas.
4. In some routes, it is not available.
Though it is implemented, the current version does not cover any train route across India, especially the long-distance unreserved routes, which may not be that popular. It will not help passengers reach those stations supported by it.
details:
download for:
android
i-phone
Conclusion: The Future of the UTS App
The UTS app is a momentous step in India's journey toward a digital mainstream, especially transportation. Making the ticketing process easier, saving the environment through paperless travel, and providing a fast alternative to easier modes of getting things done is exactly what the UTS app has become for millions of their daily traveling time.
Constant upgradation will lead the UTS app to become a much stronger service platform in the future, in terms of wider geographical coverage, incorporating digital payment options within its overall scheme more than it currently is, and a better travel experience for passengers all over the country.
Along with Indian Railways's move toward much modernization and technological solutions, the UTS app will take the lead in bringing about this change.
0 Comments