A STUDY ON WORKING OF TICKET COLLECTORS IN RAILWAYS

1
A STUDY ON WORKING OF TICKET COLLECTORS IN
RAILWAYS

• BY M. DHARMALINGAM
• CPO / N.F. RAILWAY

2
BRIEF INTRODUCTION 1

• This study on TC working consists of following
• Area of research-KIR STATION only
• Existing yardsticks, if any (Not available in
  NFR)
• Benchmark conveyed by Board ( Not available )
• Comparison of staff strength-KIR DIVISION only
• Specific details of activities performed by
  category
• Report of studies conducted by any Rlys / Any
  Work Study in NFR ( Not available )
• Introducing/upgrading existing technology
  contd.

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BRIEF INTRODUCTION 2

• Slackness in work methods of Ticket Collector
• Indication on redundancy of category
• Scope for surrender of activities
• Short-term action plan
• Long-term action plan

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BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF KATIHAR STATION

• 1.Total platforms 10 (6 MG, 4 BG)
• 2.Total exits Points 12 ( At PF 9/10 - 3
  exits,
• PF7/8 - 2
  exits, PF3 -1exits,
• PF1/2 - 1
  exits, PF5/6 2 exits, Others-3
  exits)
• 3.Overbridges 3 (all 3 open
  outside PFs)
• 4. Pub. Assistance 3
• Booths
• 5. Enquiry offices 4

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USAGE OF PRESENT 48 Sanctioned Strength OnRoll
TCs at KIR Station

• At 131 enquiry
• At exit points (3 shifts)
• Passenger amenities
• Enquiry offices
• Passenger assistance booths
• Bed roll supervisor
• Batch incharge

• 2
• 24
• 3
• 12
• 3
• 1
• 3

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SPECIFIC DETAILS OF ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY TC
CATEGORY

• 1.Checking collecting of tickets of all
  passengers. (specially passengers exiting
  platforms/FOB)
• 2.Helping passengers through public assistance
  booths.
• 3.Maintenance supervision of public amenities.
  (like waiting halls, retiring rooms,
  Cleanliness, refreshment Centers, sitting
  arrangements etc.)
• 4. Supervision of bed-rolls.
• 5. Giving information at enquiry booths.
• 
  
• contd.

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CONTD..

• 6. Making announcements through public address
  system regarding train arrival departures.
• 7. Retiring room booking.
• 8. Collecting penalties excess fair from
• passengers (for journey luggage).
• 9. Endorsement of break journeys.
• 10. Doing current reservation.
• 11.Issuing ticket deposit receipts(TDR)forclaims

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WORK STUDY/ BENCH-MARKS / YARDSTICKS IN REGARD TO
TC CADRE

• Work study is to be conducted by Efficiency Cell
  of GM/MLG office but not conducted in last 10
  years.
• Benchmark conveyed by Board ( Not available )
• Existing yardsticks, if any ( Not available )

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SLACKNESS IN WORK METHODS OF TCs

• Seniority of both TTEs TCs should be
  integrated. It is under implementation as per
  current guidelines of RB.
• Integrated seniority of both TTEs TCs will
  give them alternate job environment, experience
  of running as well as stationary duties, change
  in work atmosphere etc.
• Training programme of TCs should also be
  evaluated on zero base.
• Technological input at present is very low.
• Incentive for achieving targets should be there.
• Detail of incoming passengers may be collected
  through UTS/PRS system manual work of TC may be
  reduced.
• Manning for Bed roll system may be shifted to
  electrical department.

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POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING/ UPGRADING EXISTING
TECHNOLOGY

• Ticket collection can be mechanized upto some
  extent (like Delhi Metro etc.).
• Full fledged NTES(national train enquiry system)
  to reduce load on enquiry booths.
• computerization of Current reservation.
• Common user group(CUG) mobile system or
  walky-talky system among TCs, to change position
  as per crowd requirements at platforms or exit
  points.
• Informing WL/RAC passengers regarding
  confirmation (Through SMS) so that it will reduce
  load on enquiry, current reservation, PA booths
  etc.
• Installation of Touch screen method regarding PNR
  as well as running status of train at all entry
  points.

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Contd..

• Advance information about no. of passengers
  getting down at concerned station (trainwise) so
  that required planning can be done (through PRS /
  UTS).
• On station, public display boards regarding
  actual running status can be installed (like
  mumbai suburban train system Delhi Metro etc.).
  
• Train Running Status on IVRS.
• Providing hand hold/ palm top computers to TCs
  for better working.
• CCTV showing various information therefore
  reducing TC demand.

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INDICATION ON REDUNDANCY OF CATEGORY

• Till now, it seems that it is an indispensable
  category in view of existing scenario but in near
  future cadre strength can be reduced up to a
  significant level, subject to fully
  computerisation mechanisation of activities
  performed by TCs (Points are cited in 2 previous
  slides )
• It should also be noted that due to varieties of
  his activities, he will always be in need

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SCOPE FOR SURRENDER OF ACTIVITIES MACRO LEVEL

• Retiring room booking can be given to private
  agencies(like Rail Hotels).
• Waiting halls can also be managed like Sulabh
  International Organization.
• By mechanising Enquiry system totally through
  various means (no manual interface base) in
  phased manner in future 4-5 years, Number of
  (TCs) will reduce whereas productivity, image,
  customer satisfaction may be increased.

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STREAMLINING OF TC WORKING AT KATIHAR STATION

• No. of exits must be reduced to 2 or 3 (station
  premises should be covered restricted). At
  present there are 12 exit points.
• TCs be placed permanently on overbridges (FOB),
  if exit points not reduced.
• Outsiders should be checked to use overbridges as
  thorough passage (including Rail staff). It can
  also be done by parting FOB in two parts i.e,
  Platform to platform exit to exit ( Like
  FOB at GHY )
• Enquiry offices should be reduced to1 or 2, if
  cant be centralised.
• if steps
  are taken in this direction.

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Then

• Revenue will increase (by Platform tickets,
  catching without ticket passengers, penalties
  etc.)
• Cleanliness of station will improve.
• Load on various categories will reduce hence
  improving their productivity ( like TCs,
  RPF,etc.)

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SHORT TERM ACTION PLAN

• Spreading of work be reduced. Less no. of enquiry
  booths, and less no. of exits will help in
  achieving objectives.
• Palmtop computer and receipts generated through
  that can be started to expedite various TC jobs.
  (like issuing TDRs, EFTs, calculating penalties
  etc.)
• Issuing chart just 15-20 minutes before departure
  (Hence no current reservation)

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LONG TERM ACTION PLAN

• A work study can be conducted for evaluating
  working needs nature of work of TCs.
• A pilot project regarding fully mechanised ticket
  collecting system may be experimented.
• An incentive plan may be structured for achieving
  targets of revenue earned by TCs.
• A good amount of information regarding next
  station, platform layout, emergency services can
  be served to passengers in train itself, so they
  will not depend on TCs. It can be given in
  printed or visual or audio form.
• contd

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Contd..

• A streamlined system of Ticket checking by TTEs
  in running trains may ultimately abolish the
  basic need to check collects Tickets at
  destination stations.
• Platform visitors lounge may be separated (like
  airports). Thus Platform Ticket checking will
  improve as well as unnecessary rush on PF will
  reduce. Security wise also it will be of great
  help.
• A study like 8020 can be conducted to get
  information, i.e, mostly in which train, category
  season, most of the without ticket passengers
  travel. Accordingly special drives can be
  conducted, hence load on TCs will reduce whereas
  revenue will increase.

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Thank You