The banking sector believes that setting up e-ticketing kiosks at railway stations will help the banks spread their network and increase the customer base.
E-ticketing kiosks are provided by banks to their customers at railway stations to book tickets through debit card.
The Indian Railways had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Indian Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India and Dena Bank to set up 1,392 automated teller machines at railway stations across the country.
Of these, 856 will be e-ticketing kiosks.
Mr M.S. Sundara Rajan, chairman and managing director of Indian Bank, said, "Commuters can now get printed tickets without having to stand in queues at reservation counters. This will help the banks to expand their network into smaller cities and give them a competitive advantage over others."
Indian Bank was the first bank to install an e-ticketing kiosk in December, 2007. It has already set up 10 e-ticketing kiosks and has plans to set up 24 more within a year.
The Union Bank of India too set up its first e-ticketing kiosk at Delhi in December and is gearing up to set up similar facilities.
Source: www.asianage.com 01/04/08
