Railways to continue Facilitator scheme

Railways today said it will continue with the facilitator scheme, which was introduced to make the general public accustomed to using the Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), up to March 31 next year.
"This issue has been examined again and based on the feedback received from zonal Railways, a decision to continue with the scheme up to March 31, 2017 has been taken," a press release issued by the Railways Ministry said.
The scheme has been reviewed from time to time and extensions were given on annual basis, it said adding that the last extension has been given upto March 31 this year.

"It has, however, been decided that on those zonal Railways where this concept was introduced in 2011-12, this scheme will not be extended beyond March 31, 2017," the release said.
The Railways had introduced Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) to facilitate passengers in getting unreserved tickets without manual intervention.
In the initial phase, to popularise the use of smart cards and to make the general public accustomed to using the ATVMs, the scheme for facilitators was introduced.
Initially, instructions for engaging facilitators on Central and Western Railway were issued and subsequently all zonal Railways were allowed to engage facilitators.