Railways Biometric Token System to Get Confirmed Seat in Unreserved Coach

Indian Railways is one of the major transport systems in India. Numerous people rely on it for their journey from one place to another. Many times it happens that people are not able to have confirmed tickets because of late journey planning and low budget. In that case, they usually get unreserved train tickets. Due to this, they might need to confront the heavy rush. People almost fight to acquire seats in unreserved coaches. To resolve this problem, reduce the rush in trains, and build a disciplined crowd, Indian Railways brings a biometric token system for long routes trains’ unreserved coaches. 

Biometric Token System- An Overview 

A biometric token system is a process through which rail passengers get train tickets in Indian railways for general coaches with biometric verification. In this system, Rail Passengers purchase their train ticket from an unreserved platform ticket counter operated by Railway Protection Force personnel under CCTV surveillance. This system is portable and easy to transport across platforms. To get tickets, Rail passengers need to get their fingers scanned. Afterwards, they get issued a token. 

You must know that the tokens are distributed on a first-come and first-serve basis. So, travellers need to reach the station around 60-90 minutes before the scheduled departure time of the long-route train. Railway Protection Force personnel operate the biometric machines to issue tokens to rail passengers travelling in general compartments. Furthermore, Passengers need to form a queue according to their token number near the gate of the general compartment of trains a few minutes before the train’s arrival. Afterwards, passengers enter the general coach and take seats on the train.

Things to Know About Indian Railways Biometric System 

Biometric Token System allows rail passengers to unreserved board coaches smoothly and allows railway systems to secure the biometric data of rail passengers. As in general tickets, the railway doesn’t ask for any data from the rail passenger like reserved train ticket booking. 

• The biometric Token System ticket booking process boosts railway security and helps the system identify any miscreants.  

• While purchasing the tickets for the general class coaches, passengers must get their fingerprints scanned and photographs captured by the biometric machine.
• The generated token number will be in series equal to the number of seats in a particular general class coach.
• Passengers will need to assemble in a queue on the platform a few minutes before the train arrives to board it smoothly. 
• RPF staff will be appointed at the gate of the general class coach to verify the token number and allow the passengers to board the coach in an orderly manner. 
• The Biometric Token System will only work at the station from where the train originated. 
• The Biometric token system holds the passenger’ name, PNR number, train number, token number, and destination station name.
• A biometric token system will also prevent the black marketing of unreserved tickets. 
• Its machines collect and store the data locally for a year. 
• Railway systems can use biometric data to analyse crowd patterns. 

Major Trains for Which You Can Get Tickets From Biometric System 

Here are some major trains for which general class passengers can get tickets through the Biometric Token System. 

Paschim Express – Paschim Express,12925 originates from Bandra Terminus for Amritsar, Punjab. The train route covers Ratlam Jn, Kota Jn, Mathura Jn, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana. Passengers can get unreserved tickets for Paschim Express with biometric verification at the terminus. 

Avadh Express – Originated from Bandra Terminus, Avadh Express, 19039, runs between Bandra to Gorakhpur. The train has the highest number of sleeper coaches. Passengers can take train tickets to the Unreserved compartment of Avadh Express with a token system at Western Railways’ Bandra Terminus.  

Jaipur Superfast Express– Covering major stations like Surat, Ratlam, Bhawani, Kota, Jaipur Superfast Express, 12955, originate from Mumbai Central station. Passengers can get their unreserved train ticket from Mumbai Central Station for Jaipur superfast express.  

Karnavati Express– Karnavati Express, 12933, is a superfast express that runs from Mumbai Central to Ahmedabad Junction. It leaves Mumbai at 01:40 PM and reaches 09:05 PM to Ahmedabad. The train goes via Vapi, Surat, Vadodara etc. 

Golden Temple Mail– Started from Mumbai Central station, Golden Temple Mail,12903 is an important train running in the western railway zone. To ensure a confirmed seat in its general compartment, passengers can take an unreserved ticket from the Biometric ticket counter. 

Top Indian Railway Station with Biometric Token System Facility 

The biometric Token System facility is available for limited railway stations. Top railway stations with the biometric token system include: 

Secunderabad Junction, SC

Southern Railway Zone’s station, Secunderabad Junction, SC, is a major railhead in the urban area of Hyderabad. It is located on the railway lines of Nagpur section, Wadi, Kazipet, Vijayawada, Guntur, Manmad, and Dhone. The station with 10 platforms handles approx 110 trains daily.  

Mumbai Central, MMCT

Western Railway zone’s station, Mumbai Central, MMCT, serves as a major railway station in Mumbai for both Local and Intercity/Express trains with separate platforms. It handles around 22 trains daily. 

Bandra Station, BDTS

Bandra Station, BDTS, is another major station serving the financial capital of India, Mumbai. Its 7 platforms serve around 58 trains daily. Western Railway has installed a Biometric token system to ensure that passengers don’t need to experience hassle in boarding trains with unreserved tickets. 

You must know that the Railways biometric token system facility is available at only limited stations and for certain trains. UTS ticket booking facility will help you at stations where the biometric booking system is unavailable to get unreserved train tickets. 

What is a biometric token system facility? 

The biometric token system is an initiative of Indian Railways to ease the journey experience of general ticket holders for long-route trains. In this system, rail passengers get a token number, and according to this number, they board their train and get a confirmed seat in the general compartment. 

How is the biometric token system helping rail passengers? 

When the travellers issue a token number, passengers do not get in a hurry. It reduces the chance of scuffling at the entry point of the general compartment of the train. In addition, as it also lets the passenger have a confirmed seat, long routes passengers can order healthy and hygienic meals from IRCTC e-catering during journeying. 

RailMitra rail app helps rail passengers to order food in trains online. Moreover, its multiple AI tools help travellers to check the ticket’s PNR status, live train running status, train schedule, ticket fare, and more. 

With the RailMitra rail enquiry app, you can plan and execute your train tour effectively.