Indian Railways has announced a significant digital transformation initiative, making RailOne the sole authorized application for unreserved ticket booking from March 1, 2026. The UTS Mobile App will be discontinued on this date, marking a strategic shift towards a unified digital platform for railway services. This consolidation aims to enhance digital adoption and streamline the ticket booking process for millions of passengers across the country.

Incentives and Implementation Timeline

To promote widespread adoption of the new platform, Railways will introduce attractive incentives for users. Starting January 14, passengers booking tickets through the RailOne app will receive a 3% discount on their purchases. This promotional strategy demonstrates the railway administration's commitment to ensuring a smooth transition from the existing UTS platform.

The phasing out process has already begun with the elimination of the 'season ticket' option from the UTS app, indicating a systematic approach to the transition.

Comprehensive Service Integration

According to CPRO Shashikant Tripathi, the RailOne app will provide comprehensive railway facilities, encompassing both unreserved and reserved ticket booking services. This all-in-one approach represents a significant upgrade from the previous system, offering passengers a unified platform for all their railway-related needs.

The application includes several key features designed to enhance the passenger experience:

• Unreserved ticket booking
• Live train tracking capabilities
• E-catering services
• Grievance redressal system
• Reserved ticket booking functionality

Performance Targets and Regional Progress

The Railway Board has set ambitious targets for digital adoption across different zones. Southern Railway has emerged as a leading performer, achieving 29.5% of unreserved ticket bookings through mobile applications. This performance has positioned Southern Railway among the best-performing zones in terms of digital ticket booking adoption.

The Railway Board has specifically advised Southern Railway to enhance its efforts and reach a target of 40% mobile-based unreserved ticket bookings via the RailOne App by March 1, 2026. This ambitious goal requires focused measures including passenger awareness campaigns and ongoing monitoring to increase platform usage.

Strategic Launch and Vision

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched RailOne in July 2025 during the 40th Foundation Day of Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). The timing of this launch reflects the strategic importance of digital transformation in the railway sector. The application is currently available for download on both Android Play Store and iOS App Store, ensuring accessibility across different mobile platforms.

A Railway Board statement emphasized the collective progress made by all divisions: "All the Divisions have demonstrated commendable progress in enhancing mobile-based unreserved ticket bookings, with Southern Railway already positioned among the best-performing zones. It is encouraging to note this collective effort, and the Railway Board has urged that the momentum be sustained with renewed focus."

Digital Transformation Impact

This initiative represents a significant step in Indian Railways' digital transformation journey, consolidating multiple services into a single, comprehensive platform. The transition from UTS to RailOne reflects the organization's commitment to modernizing passenger services and improving operational efficiency. The success of this initiative will largely depend on effective implementation of awareness campaigns and the sustained momentum in digital adoption across all railway zones.

Indian Railways is set to revolutionize long-distance travel with the launch of its first Vande Bharat sleeper train, connecting Guwahati and Kolkata. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on January 1 that trials, testing and certification have been successfully completed, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to flag off the service soon.

Service Launch and Route Details

The sleeper variant represents a significant expansion of the Vande Bharat brand into overnight and long-distance travel segments. Vaishnaw noted that the strong public response to existing Vande Bharat chair car services encouraged this development. The new train has been specifically designed for journeys exceeding 1,000 km, promising passengers a faster, safer and more comfortable travel experience.

The Guwahati-Kolkata route will showcase modern sleeper coaches equipped with improved suspension systems, advanced safety features and upgraded passenger amenities designed to enhance overnight journey comfort.

Competitive Fare Structure

The railway ministry has positioned the service as an affordable alternative to air travel, with strategically priced tickets across different classes:

These fares offer substantial savings compared to airfares on the same route, which typically range between ₹6,000.00 and ₹8,000.00, and can reach ₹10,000.00 during peak demand periods.

Technical Performance and Safety Trials

Indian Railways recently completed comprehensive high-speed trials under Commissioner of Railway Safety supervision on the Kota-Nagda section. The train achieved a maximum speed of 180 kmph while undergoing rigorous technical evaluations covering multiple safety parameters:

• Ride stability assessment
• Vibration behavior analysis
• Braking system performance
• Emergency response capabilities
• Overall safety performance validation

Vaishnaw demonstrated the train's stability through a water-glass test shared on social media, where glasses filled with water remained steady without spillage at high speeds, highlighting the robustness of the suspension system and overall design.

Advanced Features and Technology

The 16-coach Vande Bharat sleeper rake incorporates state-of-the-art features designed for enhanced passenger experience and safety:

Safety Systems:

• KAVACH collision avoidance system
• Crashworthy couplers and anti-climbers
• Fire detection and suppression systems
• Fire barrier doors with improved safety protocols
• CCTV-based surveillance network

Passenger Amenities:

• Automatic and centrally controlled plug doors
• Modern toilet facilities
• Digital passenger information systems
• Energy-efficient technologies
• Sealed gangways for climate control
• Emergency talk-back units
• Special accessibility features for Divyangjan passengers
• Centralized coach monitoring system

Future Expansion Plans

Vaishnaw outlined ambitious expansion plans for the Vande Bharat sleeper network. Approximately 12 sleeper trains are expected to be ready and inducted into service by the end of this year, with a rapid scale-up planned for the following year. This expansion reinforces Indian Railways' commitment to innovation, safety and indigenous manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The successful completion of Commissioner of Railway Safety trials represents a significant milestone, clearing the path for commercial operations and establishing a new benchmark for long-distance rail travel in India.