Indian Railways has launched an app called unreserved ticket system (UTS) to enable people to buy railway tickets online for travelling up to a specified distance. However, for greater convenience, Indian Railways has also come out with a new ATVM smart card. You can recharge this ATVM smart card online. A railway ticket can very well be booked from the UTS app, but the compelling reason to use a smart card to book a ticket is the extra value of 3% offered on using smart cards.
«Smart Card is used to purchase tickets through ATVM. Smart cards can be purchased at booking offices at any suburban station and recharged as per requirements. Commuters get a 3% extra value on every recharge. Smart card Cost is Rs 70/- (Rs 50/- refundable deposit & Rs 20/- recharge value),» said the Western Railway on its website as of April 27, 2024.
«Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) has developed a facility for online recharge of ATVM Smart Cards through the UTSonMobile Website. As a result, passengers can now recharge their ATVM Smart Cards online using all digital payment methods,» said the South Eastern Railway in a press release dated August 18, 2021.
According to the Western Railways website, these are the types of tickets that can be bought using the ATVM smart card: First and second class, single, return, platform tickets. You can also renew season tickets for adults and children.