Over 53% of Dasara travellers opt for digital ticketing at Mysuru station

Divisional Railway Manager Mudit Mittal interacting with passengers at the Mysuru Railway Station on Thursday. | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram More than 53% of departing passengers at Mysuru Railway Station opted for digital and self-service ticketing during the Mysuru Dasara finale on October 21, as nearly one lakh passengers passed through the station on Vijayadashami day.The South Western Railway’s Mysuru division on Thursday (October 22) said 53.4% of departing passengers used Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) and the UTS mobile application for ticketing, helping reduce rush at conventional booking counters, improve passenger movement and make the travel experience more convenient during the festive rush.ATVMs recorded a 33.23% increase in passenger usage, with 17,700 passengers using the machines on October 21, compared with 13,285 on the corresponding day in 2025. Revenue from ATVMs rose 32.1% to ₹10.61 lakh. UPI-based QR code payments on the machines also facilitated quicker ticket purchases, said Divisional Commercial Manager Girish Dharmaraj Kalagonda.Mobile ticketing gained ground, with passenger usage of the UTS application increasing 13.04% to 5,495. The number of tickets booked through the application rose 18.72%, improving acceptance among the passengers, he said.In contrast, the number of passengers using conventional ticket counters fell 23.54%, from 26,180 in 2025 to 20,018 this year. Transactions at booking windows declined 20.14%, reflecting a growing preference for self-service ticketing. This shift helped ease congestion around the booking counters and station concourse, facilitating smoother passenger movenent and convenient access to platforms, according to a press release from the division.Unreserved ticketing operations generated ₹25.33 lakh from 23,277 tickets on the peak day, compared with ₹28.56 lakh in 2025, a decline of 11.33%. The average revenue per ticket also fell from ₹63.70 to ₹58.28, indicating a change in the average ticket value and may also reflect the travel patterns of passengers undertaking shorter journeys, the release said.Rail services remained an important mode of affordable transport for Dasara visitors travelling to destinations such as Mandya, Ramanagara and Bengaluru.Mr. Kalagonda, who is also the Public Relations Officer, said the division had prioritised passenger safety, convenience and reduced waiting times during the festival.“The use of digital and self-service ticketing facilities by 53.4% of departing passengers marks a significant step towards more efficient passenger services. The increased use of ATVMs and mobile ticketing helped reduce dependence on conventional booking counters and improve convenience for passengers,” he said.The division thanked passengers for embracing digital and paperless ticketing and cooperating with railway staff to ensure safe and orderly travel during the Dasara celebrations.ProgrammeDivisional Railway Manager Mudit Mittal conducted a Rail Jan Samvad programme at Mysuru Railway Station on Thursday.The DRM, Additional Divisional Railway Manager and branch officers interacted with passengers, receiving their suggestions, grievances and feedback on improving railway services and passenger amenities. Published - October 22, 2026 07:29 pm IST