In a decisive move to enhance passenger experience, the Railway Board has directed all 17 zones of Indian Railways to take action against officials responsible for providing inaccurate or missing data in the passenger information system. This decision follows a surge in complaints regarding the inconsistency and unreliability of train information.
To address this issue, the Railway Board has mandated that various passenger information display boards at stations be integrated with the National Train Enquiry System (NTES). The NTES website offers real-time train running status, coach composition, and other critical information, making it essential for travelers.
Urgent Need for Reliable Information
In a letter dated September 27, the Railway Board emphasized the vital role of passenger information systems. “The reliability of train information being conveyed by such systems to passengers is very important and any gap/error in the information displayed creates inconvenience for the passengers. Hence it is very important that the information for every stopping train displayed on such systems is correct and reliable,” the letter stated.
The Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board have urged all zones to prioritize the integration of passenger information systems with the NTES. “To achieve this, all Passenger Information systems should be integrated with the National Train Enquiry System on topmost priority for automatic display of Train information at stations,” the letter added.
Furthermore, the board has advised replacing outdated systems with new ones that comply with the latest Railway Design Standards Organization (RDSO) specifications. It has been noted that for some trains, data was either not entered or incorrect coach configurations were provided. “Such mistakes should be avoided and appropriate action needs to be taken against the delinquent officials,” the letter emphasized.
To further improve passenger convenience, the board has also recommended installing coach guidance systems at platforms where more than six reserved trains stop daily. With these measures, the Railway Board aims to improve the reliability of train information and ensure a smoother travel experience for millions of passengers.