Kochi: Closed counters greet commuters often as they arrive at small stations to catch a train in a hurry. Not anymore.
Station masters at stations with limited operations under the Thiruvananthapuram division would be relieved of the ticket issuing duty with the arrival of station ticket booking agents (STBA).
The commercial wing has started the process of appointing STBAs in 18 such stations to ensure unreserved ticket availability all the time. Till now, the SMs need to do both the duties and the counters will be closed upon train arrivals to concentrate on other tasks.
“We’ve experimented the system of entrusting ticket selling job to private players at small stations like Mararikulam,” a senior official told DC.
“It was a success that prompted us to appoint STBAs in 18 more stations. Commuters won’t have any difficulty in getting unreserved tickets or information on arrivals and departures.”
They are Cheppad, Ettumanur, Edapally, Kalamassery, Karukutty, Kumbalam, Kuruppanthara, Mararikulam, Mulagunnathukavu, Mulanthuruthy, Murukkumpuzha, Nemom, Ochira, Perinad, Vaikom Road, Aralvaymoli and Sengulam.
The contractor will be getting fixed commission like a flat Rs 15 percent for the first Rs 15,000. As sales pick up, the commission percentage will come down. The contract will be for three years.
The Railways has already set up Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendras (unreserved tickets can be bought from private agents outside the station) to discourage commuters purchasing tickets from station ticket counters.
