Railway e-ticket booking to get expensive

New Delhi: From September 1, passengers will have to shell out “convenience fee” on their e-ticket bookings through IRCTC after the Indian railways decided to restore the practice that was stopped in November 2016 to promote digital payment.

As per new order, “convenience fee” of Rs 15 per ticket will be levied on non-AC classes and Rs 30 for AC, including first class. This amount was Rs 20 on the non-AC e-tickets and Rs 40 for every AC ticket before it was withdrawn in November 2016.

Senior railways officials said this was a small amount that the passengers will have to pay for a big convenience.

“Passengers save time, money and energy by getting e-tickets through a click of mouse sitting in the comfort of their rooms,” said a senior Railway official.

“Even for the parking at booking centres people have to shell out more money than what is charged as “convenience fee” from them for E-ticketing,” he added.

The official further said that the money collected from “convenience fee” will be further used for modernisation of digital platforms, maintenance of sites, improving speed and having better interface for booking experience.

“As we move towards complete digitalisation, Railways needs funds. This “convenience fee” will help IRCTC generate its own funds that will be used for improving facilities,” said the IRCTC officer.

He added that in future the IRCTC’s plans is to reduce this “convenience fee” for those who make payments through Bhim or UPI App.

For them charges will be Rs 10 for reach non-AC and Rs 20 for AC and first class ticket.