IRCTC, Intrex in tie-up

To offer online railway ticketing using 'Itz Cash' cards

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the marketing arm of the Indian Railways, has entered into an agreement with Intrex India Limited, an Essel Group company, to enable railway ticketing through Internet using the pre-paid 'Itz Cash'cards as a payment mechanism.

Addressing a press conference, Gurpreet Bakshi, head (marketing, sales and distribution), Intrex India Limited, said, "A large number of customers wanting to buy tickets online do not own credit cards, especially in smaller cities. The tie-up will enable us to expand our customer base through an alternative payment mechanism."

According to him, many of those who have credit or debit cards are also sceptical in using them for online transactions and micro payments due to the risk associated with it. "Itz Cash being available in various denominations eliminates the risks and is well suited for online payments," Bakshi said.

Speaking on the occasion, Laxmi Narayan, chief regional manager (south central), IRCTC, said, "Although 50 lakh railway tickets are booked every day, only 4,000 bookings are done through the Internet."

"We also hope that booking of railway tickets like this will allow people in rural and semi-urban regions purchase tickets by using this technology," he added.

Narayan said that IRCTC was working on a mechanism wherein the tickets are delivered quickly to the customers. "Till now we used to deliver the tickets within three working days after it was booked. But looking ahead, we are trying to bring it down to 24 hours," he said.

Launched in November 2003, Itz Cash is the country's first multi-purpose prepaid card that enables consumers to conveniently shop online, book railway tickets, buy Internet connection packages and play online games.

Itz Cash comes in denominations between Rs 100 and Rs 10,000. The cash cards are available across the country through 88 Asian Sky Shop franchisee-network, 4,500 Playwin retailers, 5,500 Dish TV outlets and Indiatimes shopping portal.

The company has already tied up with Indiatimes.com, Rediff.com, Asian Sky Shop, ZEE Interactive Learning Systems, HCL Infinet, Dish TV and Playwin.