IRCTC's New Voice Payment System: Now Book Train Tickets with Just a Phone Call!
This innovative service, launched by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), in collaboration with NPCI and CoRover, enables users to make payments using their voice through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) integration.
New Delhi – In a move to further simplify train ticket bookings, Indian Railways has introduced a new system that allows passengers to book tickets via a simple phone call. This innovative service, launched by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), in collaboration with NPCI and CoRover, enables users to make payments using their voice through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) integration.
Indian Railways' Latest Feature: Voice-Enabled Ticket Booking
Gone are the days when travelers had to rely on websites or booking windows for train tickets. With the new Conversational Voice Payments service, passengers can now book train tickets by simply making a phone call and using their voice to complete the payment. Launched at the Global Fintech Fest 2024, this service aims to make ticket booking faster and more convenient.
By leveraging AI virtual assistant AskDISHA, customers can not only book their tickets but also pay for them by speaking their UPI ID or typing their mobile number over the phone. The system, which is integrated with UPI payment gateways, provides a seamless experience for passengers across India.
How Does Voice-Based Ticket Booking Work?
The process is straightforward. When a user calls the designated number to book a train ticket, the voice payment system automatically recognizes the phone number associated with a UPI account. After obtaining the UPI ID, the system sends a payment request through the user’s default UPI app.
To ensure flexibility and ease of use, customers are also given the option to update their mobile number or UPI ID within a specified transaction time frame, ensuring smooth and secure payments.
Easier Payments with Voice Commands
According to IRCTC and its partners, this new system is the first conversational voice payment platform to enable transactions using UPI, eliminating language barriers and making payments faster and more efficient. The technology is expected to enhance the user experience, providing a more accessible and hassle-free option for booking train tickets.
Ticket Booking Made Simple with Just One Call
This new feature is integrated with IRCTC’s AI-powered virtual assistant AskDISHA, equipped with UPI and BharatGPT. Now, users can simply use their voice to book train tickets and complete payments, making the entire process quicker and more convenient.
By integrating these advanced technologies, IRCTC is poised to revolutionize the ticket booking process, offering a user-friendly experience that caters to the diverse needs of passengers across the country.