Indian Railways: Surprise for the passengers

New Delhi, June 09: In a unique initiative, that is likely to delight passengers, IRCTC for the first time in a train has installed a tablet-operated automatic food vending machine.

In a move that is likely to delight passengers, IRCTC for the first time in a train has installed a tablet-operated automatic food vending machine. This new machine has been put in the newly introduced Coimbatore-Bengaluru UDAY Express.

The automatic food vending machine offers a variety of quick-to-eat snacks and beverages such as biscuits, chips/Kurkure-type packaged eatables and canned juices, aerated drinks, tea/coffee.

These automatic food vending machines have been installed in the mini-pantry-cum-dining areas of three coaches on the new UDAY Express double-decker train.

The new train has been introduced keeping in mind the comfort needs of business travelers. While train number 22666 Coimbatore-Bengaluru UDAY Express train will take 7 hours from Coimbatore to Bengaluru, train number 22665 Bengaluru-Coimbatore UDAY Express train will take 6 hours and 45 minutes from Bengaluru to Coimbatore.

The passengers on UDAY Express can place their order using the tablet and the machine dispenses food/coffee after the payment has been made. Initially, only cash payment will be accepted, but going ahead the option of cashless transactions will also be available.

The process is fairly simple: the passenger can choose the list of items available on the tablet and add them to the cart.

Once the payment has been made, the machine automatically dispenses the items. In case the passenger chooses tea/coffee, the ordered beverage pours out of the left-hand side of the machine.