Our Bureau

Kolkata , Feb. 21

BOOKING railway tickets online has been made easier, courtesy the new pre-paid cash cards.

A new electronic system for safe and quicker online ticketing has been introduced by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, the Indian Railway's marketing arm, in collaboration with Intrex India Ltd, an Essel Group company.

Retailed by Intrex India, Itz Cash cards (with values ranging between Rs 100 and Rs 10,000) can be bought across the counter from all mobile pre-paid card outlets and cyber cafes.

Using the cardone can log on to IRCTC's Web site (launched in 2002) and buy a rail ticket, which will be home-delivered.

Announcing the tie-up here at a joint news conference, Mr A.S. Upadhyaya, Group GM, IRCTC, said the new electronic payment mechanism would enable the railways to expand its customer base, as the cash card would allow several potential customers in small cities not owning credit cards to purchase rail tickets without any hassle.

The multi-purpose Itz Cash comes in denominations of Rs 100, Rs 250, Rs 500, Rs 1,000, Rs 1,500, Rs 3,000, Rs 5,000, Rs 7,500 and Rs 10,000.

IRCTC had, in September, announced reservation through Hutch and Reliance mobile phones.

Mr Upadhyaya said both Intrex India and IRCTC have Internet banking accounts with leading banks, which facilitate daily transfers, accountals and reconciliations. He told Business Line that IRCTC is working towards spot printing of tickets through the cardholders' computer at any location .Mr Navin Surya, ED, Intrex India, said the joint initiative with IRCTC will enable Itz Cash to increase market penetration, by delivering full value to the customer with a minimal built-in charge of 1.50 per cent (of the transaction value) or a minimum of Rs 15. He said although more than 4 lakh rail tickets are booked every day, only a fraction of this is through the Internet, though online booking is available in 130 cities across the country.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu Business Line