Overview
- West Central Railway announced on Wednesday that it will roll out a token-based system at reservation counters starting August 1 to replace long physical queues for Tatkal bookings.
- Tokens will be issued in two timed windows that match current Tatkal schedules: AC tokens between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. and non-AC tokens between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m.
- Each counter will initially hand out up to 10 AC tokens and 15 non-AC tokens but stations may raise or lower those limits based on local passenger demand.
- The scheme creates Category A tokens for family bookings that require both travellers' photo IDs, Category B for other passengers, and makes all tokens non-transferable.
- If seats remain after token holders book, leftover Tatkal tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and officials say the measure is a local pilot whose success will depend on strict ID checks, enforcement and whether other zones adopt it.