Indian Railways Announces 3% Discount on General Tickets Booked Digitally

In a major relief for daily and short-distance passengers, Indian Railways has announced a 3 per cent discount on unreserved (general) tickets booked through digital platforms. The incentive, introduced by the East Central Railway (ECR), will remain effective until July 14, aiming to promote cashless transactions and hassle-free travel.

According to ECR Chief Public Relations Officer Saraswati Chandra, passengers booking unreserved tickets via the RailOne mobile application will be eligible for the discount. The tickets can be purchased using multiple digital payment options, including UPI, debit cards, credit cards, and net banking.

“The objective of this initiative is to encourage digital payments and ensure convenient ticket booking for passengers, especially those traveling short distances,” the CPRO said.

More Digital Options, More Benefits

Railways has already been offering a similar 3 per cent discount on tickets booked through the R-Wallet. With the inclusion of the RailOne app, passengers now have additional digital avenues to avail themselves of this benefit.

Since its launch, the RailOne app has witnessed encouraging adoption in the East Central Railway zone. Nearly two lakh passengers have used the app so far, generating around ₹20 lakh in revenue, officials said.

Strict Action Against Ticketless Travel

While enhancing passenger facilities, Railways is also tightening enforcement against rule violations. The Danapur Railway Division recently conducted an intensive ticket-checking drive across multiple routes, including the Patna–Gaya (PG) section.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Abhinav Siddharth stated that during the special drive conducted over two days, 1,009 passengers were caught traveling without valid tickets or authorization. A fine of approximately ₹3 lakh was collected on the spot as additional revenue.

The twin approach of offering digital incentives while enforcing strict compliance reflects Indian Railways’ broader strategy to modernize passenger services and ensure discipline across its vast network.