Kochi: The Railways introduced Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) at main stations across the state two years ago to reduce long queues before ticket counters.
However, at big stations like Ernakulam, the ‘smart’ move has backfired with commuters showing little interest in procuring or renewing the specially designed ‘smart cards’ which enables commuters to buy tickets through the ATVMs.
“No smartcards have been sold this month. Last month, only two cards were sold apart from those provided to contractors operating the ATVMs here. The initial trend has changed with the smartcard holders failing to recharge the cards now,” said a senior official of the Commercial department.
“This is mainly due to two reasons – passengers cannot buy tickets for Sleeper Class, and second, they can’t buy return tickets from stations other than Thiruvananthapuram Central,” the official pointed out.
The railways have employed personnel to operate one of the two ATVMs set up at the Ernakulam Jn on commission basis. “If we recharge for '4000, we get a commission of Rs 200.
Initially, we were recharging up to six times. Now on busy days we can recharge only four times. And we get commission only for tickets provided for destinations under 150 kms. The demand would be more if they include sleeper tickets that are available during the day,” said Murukan.
According to the facility, commuters have to purchase the ‘smart card’, place them in a slot on the ATVM, select the route and destination on the touch screen, and once the details are confirmed, a computer-printed ticket is delivered. Once the ticket is issued, the money is debited from the smart card.
