RailEnquiry

The next time you are short of change while booking a train ticket, help could be nearby.  The railways Friday said it has decided to install coin vending machines (CVMs) at booking offices at stations by August.  "The detailed guidelines have been sent to all zonal railways for quick implementation," said a senior railway official here. He said the first choice could be given to State Bank of India (SBI) followed by other public sector banks on first-cum-first-served basis.  The railways will provide space for installing the CVMs on a nominal, one-time license fee of Re.1 and electricity for the machine would be provided free of cost. Initially, the CVMs will be installed for three years and there could be a maximum of four machines at each booking office in big stations and a maximum of two at other stations.  "The bank will ensure that the requisite amount of coins are available in machines, at all times," said an official.  The CVM would also display the name of the bank manager concerned to be contacted in case of shortage of change and requirement of maintenance.  The banks would be allowed to display their logo on the machines.