Date:12/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/12/stories/2008121259590400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Use unreserved ticketing terminals at suburban stations”

Special Correspondent

For mainline trains leaving Central, Egmore: S. Railway

Passengers need not wait in queues at Moore Market Complex, Egmore booking offices

CHENNAI: Unreserved ticketing terminals are present at all suburban stations in the Chennai division and the facilities are equipped to issue tickets for any mainline train leaving the Chennai Central or the Egmore station.

Southern Railway has requested passengers to use the facilities to avoid waiting in long queues at the Moore Market Complex and the Egmore booking offices, according to a release.

Though it was taking steps to speed up issue of tickets, long queues were witnessed at these booking offices, especially during rush hour. Passengers, who start their journeys from suburban stations, were requested to purchase tickets at the starting stations itself to avoid standing in queues in the Moore Market Complex or Egmore, the release said.

For example, a passenger travelling from Tambaram to Park station by EMU train and thereafter taking Pinakini Express from Chennai Central to Vijayawada could purchase the ticket for the journey from the Chennai Central to Vijayawada at the Tambaram booking counter itself.

Likewise, a passenger coming from Tiruvallur to board a train at Egmore to go to Madurai could buy the ticket at Tiruvallur booking office for the journey upto Madurai.

Suburban passengers were also requested to purchase smart cards, which were available at 37 stations on the Chennai division to avoid waiting in the queues at the MMC suburban booking office, the release said.