[May 01, 2012] Ticket vending machines not functioning [Lucknow] [Times of India] Tweet (Times of India Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) LUCKNOW: Two of the Automatic Ticket Vending Machines installed at Charbagh station, about three years back, are still not functional. The machines were set up to switch over to the online consumer transaction mode, wherein passengers can vend their own tickets using smart cards. "The machines were installed when the ATMs were provided at the station and the objective was to enable passengers vend their own tickets," said sources. However, when the machines will be made functional, even officials fail to answer. The ATVM will be un-manned and operated by the passengers themselves. The tickets will be issued through smart card. Passengers can get the smart card from the smart card counter near the ATVM at the railway station. Railways has set Rs 50 as the security deposit for smart card. The card can be topped up with Rs 20 and further in multiples of Rs 50 up to maximum limit of Rs 1,000 at a time. There would be a limit of maximum balance of up to Rs 2,000 in smart card. A flat 5% concession will be given to the passenger over and above the denomination of the smart card value as incentive. The machine is functioning in several of the stations in Delhi, in Northern Railway. The validity period of smart card will be one year from the date of last top-up. No duplicate smart ward will be issued in case of loss/theft of the original card. In case, the smart card is mutilated or is not readable, then fresh smart card will be issued on payment of Rs 10. In case of cancellation of UTS tickets purchased through smart card, no cash refund is made in any condition, but the amount of ticket is credited to the passenger smart card after verifying the genuineness of journey ticket and a deduction of Rs 10 per passenger. The ATVM will issue platform tickets, second class journey tickets for the destination stations which exist in database of ticket issuing ATVM. The ATVM will also renew MST/QST. (c) 2012 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]