Kozhikode: Long queues for railway tickets could soon become a thing of the past. While continuing with the existing ticket distribution system, the Railways is set to appoint M-UTS (Mobile-Unreserved Ticketing System) assistants who will issue unreserved tickets outside ticket counters. Approval has been granted to introduce this facility in the first phase at 10 stations under Southern Railway. The specific stations where the service will begin will be announced shortly.

Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) will remain in place. Under the new system, tickets will be issued using M-UTS machines connected to a mobile app. Passengers can receive printed tickets directly from these machines. Suvidha assistants, who will operate under an agreement with the Railways by depositing ₹1 lakh, will earn a fixed commission based on ticket sales. The system, initially launched at Raipur railway station, was found to be effective and has now been approved for nationwide rollout.

Passengers will not incur any extra service charge when buying tickets from assistants. Payments can be made either in cash or through digital modes. The number of assistants deployed at each station will be determined by the respective Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs). Their services will be available round the clock. All unreserved train tickets, including platform tickets, can be issued by the assistants, though sleeper and higher-class tickets will not be provided through them.

The commission structure for the assistants has been fixed at 3 percent for journeys up to 150 kilometres, 2 percent for 151–500 kilometres, and 1 percent for distances beyond 500 kilometres. The Railways has assessed that if the scheme is expanded to more stations in future, it could help reduce the need for physical ticket counters and staff.