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Railways invites private players to sell tickets
NEW DELHI: Railways has invited private players to sell tickets of both reserved and unreserved category, inviting ire of employee unions.
The unions are crying foul and opposing the move as it has come after the new dispensation decided to outsource cleaning of 50 major stations and decided to deploy 'Gate Mitras' (counselors) hired by private agencies at unmanned level crossings instead of posting trackmen.
The unions have termed these moves as "back-door" privatization of railway operations.
The stiff resistance came after the Railway Board's directive to allow public-private partnership in the establishment and operation of computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS)-cum-Unreserved Ticketing System terminals. As of now, all the PRS counters across the country are operated by railway employees while only authorized travel agents are allowed to sell e-tickets.
The new reservation centres would be called Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendras (YTSK). Railways justify the plan saying the move would help expansion of the facilities for purchase of tickets that would help passengers.
To start with, railways would allow only authorized ticketing agents with five year experience and those who have an office outside the railway station equipped with adequate infrastructure to run the YTSK.
Private players would be given permission to operate up to four terminals on the pattern and standard at par with the computerized PRS centres of Railways.
Railways invites private players to sell tickets - The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Railways has invited private players to sell tickets of both reserved and unreserved category, inviting ire of employee unions.
The unions are crying foul and opposing the move as it has come after the new dispensation decided to outsource cleaning of 50 major stations and decided to deploy 'Gate Mitras' (counselors) hired by private agencies at unmanned level crossings instead of posting trackmen.
The unions have termed these moves as "back-door" privatization of railway operations.
The stiff resistance came after the Railway Board's directive to allow public-private partnership in the establishment and operation of computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS)-cum-Unreserved Ticketing System terminals. As of now, all the PRS counters across the country are operated by railway employees while only authorized travel agents are allowed to sell e-tickets.
The new reservation centres would be called Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendras (YTSK). Railways justify the plan saying the move would help expansion of the facilities for purchase of tickets that would help passengers.
To start with, railways would allow only authorized ticketing agents with five year experience and those who have an office outside the railway station equipped with adequate infrastructure to run the YTSK.
Private players would be given permission to operate up to four terminals on the pattern and standard at par with the computerized PRS centres of Railways.
Railways invites private players to sell tickets - The Times of India
