Four automatic ticket vending machines (ATVM) have been installed at Madurai railway junction to spare passengers from standing in long queues to buy unreserved tickets.
Divisional Railway Manager Sunil Kumar Garg commissioned the facility here on Thursday.
He said that passengers need to buy smart card from the booking office for Rs. 100, that comes with a refundable deposit of Rs. 50.
Passengers could recharge the smart cards for a denomination of Rs. 20 up to Rs. 5,000. They could buy tickets using the touch screen on the ATVMs and print the tickets. The passengers were eligible for a 5 per cent commission on the recharge amount.
The ATVMs could be used for renewal of season tickets. The machines would function round the clock. The smart cards were transferrable. Fifty ATVMs would be installed in Madurai division within the fortnight, he said.
Additional Divisional Railway Manager R.V.B. Babu and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager S.T. Ramalingam were present.