Eastern Railway fined ticketless travellers over Rs 7.57 crore in May
"Those with smartphones can simply download the UTS App and book unreserved tickets online. They can also scan QR codes displayed at all the stations to book tickets. Hence, the excuse that a person was in a hurry no longer counts," Mitra said.
Eastern Railway (ER), which runs an extensive suburban network, has urged commuters to desist from travelling without valid tickets after raids led to the recovery of over Rs 7.57 crore in fines in May alone.
This amounts to nearly Rs 25 lakh per day.
As many as 1,80,900 people were apprehended for travelling without valid tickets during this period.
This may just be the tip of the iceberg, officials said, as many more might have managed to give the ticket-checking staff a slip.
According to the figures released by the ER for its four divisions, the fine collection for May was Rs 7,57,30,000.
The lion's share came from the Howrah Division at Rs 2,43,90,000.
Next was the Sealdah Division at Rs 1,77,00,000.
"Rail travel continues to remain the cheapest and most convenient mode of travel. We have been trying to highlight to the commuters how they would have to pay at least 6-7 times more if they travel by road. Take the 20 km journey between Howrah and Srirampur for instance."
The suburban train fare is a mere Rs 5 and the travel time is barely 30 minutes.
A bus journey would cost about Rs 40 and take more than an hour in this tremendous heat, that too if the roads are relatively clear of traffic jams," said Kausik Mitra, CPRO, Eastern Railway.
He also highlighted how people no longer have to queue up at the booking counters for tickets.
"Those with smartphones can simply download the UTS App and book unreserved tickets online. They can also scan QR codes displayed at all the stations to book tickets. Hence, the excuse that a person was in a hurry no longer counts," Mitra said.
Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) have also been installed at all important suburban stations.
At many locations, retired railway staff have been employed on a contractual basis to operate these machines for the assistance of those not familiar with their functioning, he added.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Fundamental picks by brokerage: These 3 largecap, 2 midcap stocks can give up to 28% return - Check targets
SBI Senior Citizen Latest FD Rates: What senior citizens can get on Rs 7 lakh, Rs 14 lakh, and Rs 21 lakh investments in Amrit Vrishti, 1-, 3-, and 5-year fixed deposits
Tamil Nadu Weather Alert: Chennai may receive heavy rains; IMD issues yellow & orange alerts in these districts
SIP+SWP: Rs 10,000 monthly SIP for 20 years, Rs 25 lakh lump sum investment, then Rs 2.15 lakh monthly income for 25 years; see expert calculations
Top 7 Mutual Funds With Highest Returns in 10 Years: Rs 10 lakh investment in No 1 scheme has turned into Rs 79,46,160 in 10 years
SIP vs PPF: How much corpus you can build in 15 years by investing Rs 1.5 lakh per year? Understand through calculations
Retirement Planning: Investment Rs 20 lakh, retirement corpus goal Rs 3.40 crore; know how you can achieve it
07:14 PM IST