Benefits of UTS App
Benefits of UTS App
Ministry of Railways rolls out All-India Unreserved Mobile Ticketing facility (UTS on Mobile)
The facility of booking unreserved tickets, including season tickets and also platform tickets is available through the ‘UTSONMOBILE’ app available for Android, IOS and Windows phones. Booking of unreserved tickets on all non-suburban sections across all Zonal Railways has been made available from 1st November to enable seamless booking of unreserved tickets all over Indian Railways
Ministry of Railways has introduced Unreserved Mobile Ticketing with a view to promote three C’s- Cashless transactions (Digital payment), Contact less ticketing (no need to physically visit the point of sale) and Customer convenience and experience. As a big leap, booking of unreserved tickets on all non-suburban sections across all Zonal Railways has been made available from 1st November to enable seamless booking of unreserved tickets all over Indian Railways which will obviate the need for passengers to wait in queues for purchasing the tickets.
A pilot project for booking of unreserved tickets through mobile phone was commenced in December, 2014 on select stations on Central Railway to provide customers the convenience of booking of unreserved tickets without having to stand in queues.
Gradually, unreserved Mobile ticketing was extended to all suburban sections in metropolitan cities of Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Secunderabad between 2015 and 2017 along with the facility of paperless ticketing. The facility of booking unreserved tickets, including season tickets and also platform tickets is available through the ‘UTSONMOBILE’ app available for Android, IOS and Windows phones.
The process of ticket booking involves downloading the application and registration by furnishing the requisite details. After successful registration, the user is given user-ID and password through which the user can log-in and book ticket through this application within the ticketing area and outside the Geo-fenced area (geofenced area is station premises and train route within which ticket cannot be booked. Ticketing area is outside the geofenced area as defined in the application). Initially, the payment could be made only through R-Wallet. Subsequently, the facility of making payment through all types of digital modes i.e. debit card, credit card, net-banking, UPI and other e-wallets has been introduced through payment aggregators viz. Paytm, Mobikwik and Freecharge, in line with Government’s directives to promote all digital modes of payments. The daily average number of passengers booking tickets through this app has increased from approximately 5400 in year 2025 to 4.70 lakh in October, 2025.
The UTSONMOBILE was also introduced on Non-Suburban sections in 2015 initially on Delhi-Palwal section of Northern Railway which was subsequently extended to other non-suburban sections of Northern, South Central, Southern, South Western, East Coast, South East Central and South Eastern Railways.
Benefits of the App:
- Mobile Ticketing shall promote 3C’s- Cashless transactions, Contact less ticketing and Customer convenience.
- Seamless booking of unreserved tickets all over Indian Railways.
- Obviate the need for passengers to wait in queues for purchasing the tickets and enhance the experience for booking unreserved tickets – journey, season tickets, platform tickets.
- Environment friendly.
About the App
- ‘UTSONMOBILE’ application available for Android, IOS, Windows phones. Can be downloaded from Google play or window store.
- Application ‘in house’ developed by Indian Railway- CRIS.
Patronization of the App:
App has 4 Star rating at Google play store.
- Increase in Number of tickets sold: approximately 1900/day in 2015 to 83,000/day in October, 2018.
- Increase in number of passengers: approximately 5400/day in 2015 to in 4.70 lakh/day in October, 2018.
Source: PIB
Here are the key benefits of the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) mobile app from Indian Railways—simplifying how you book general and season tickets across the national network:
Key Advantages of the UTS App
1. Cashless & Contactless Booking
- The UTS app supports seamless digital transactions through R-Wallet, UPI, debit/credit cards, net banking, and popular mobile wallets like Paytm—eliminating the need for physical cash and long counter queues.
2. Paperless E-Tickets & Season Passes
- You can opt for paperless tickets/check tickets directly on your smartphone; they’re fully valid and accepted by TTEs during inspections. This promotes environmental sustainability and reduces the hassle of carrying paper.
3. Book from Anywhere (Beyond Geo-Fence)
- Recent updates removed the upper distance limit, so you can now book general tickets from virtually any location—not just near station premises.
4. Fast & Convenient Access
- Ideal for commuters: no more standing in lines. You can book tickets and passes while on the way, at home, or on the move—provided you’re outside the geo-fenced station area.
- Reddit users highlight: “You never have to wait in line … book your ticket from home before you leave
5. Boost via R-Wallet Bonuses
- Reloading your Rail Wallet gives extra balance—such as a 5% bonus on top-ups—offering better value for frequent users.
6. Multilingual Support
- The app now supports Hindi, making it more accessible and user-friendly for a wider regional audience.
What Commuters Say
“Yes. Been using it for 2 plus years. The paperless ticket feature is rad.”
— A user in Chennai, praising the convenience and legitimacy of UTS tickets.
“Saves time. You can book your tickets while on your way to the railway station… No standing in queue… No fear of losing tickets.”
— A Mumbai commuter, highlighting practical benefits like avoiding queues and losing paper tickets.
Potential Drawbacks
- Geo-fencing restrictions mean ticket booking won’t work when you’re on platform or onboard a train. This is designed intentionally to curb misuse—but can be inconvenient.
- Some users report transaction glitches, such as delays in ticket confirmation or refunds, especially with certain UPI payments. Verification is key—check that the ticket is issued right after booking.
Summary Table
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Cashless, contactless | Book tickets without cash or lines |
| Paperless e‑tickets | Valid digital tickets—no need to carry paper |
| Anywhere booking (post update) | Book tickets remotely—no distance constraints |
| R‑Wallet bonuses | Extra value on reloads |
| Hindi support | Enhanced accessibility for Hindi-language users |
| Time-saving | Avoid queues and stress—book on the go |
Let me know if you’d like tips on using the app effectively, especially managing geo-fence constraints or ticket errors—or we can explore the new RailOne app, which integrates UTS and other services into one platform for a smoother experience.