Train ticket booking system to change from August; upgraded reservation system to launch—find out what the changes will be..
Indian Railways is set to make a major overhaul of its reservation system. Starting in August, the train ticket booking process will gradually shift to a new Passenger Reservation System (PRS), replacing the legacy system that has been in use since 1986. The objective of this transition is to simplify the booking process, enhance system capacity, and provide a superior experience for passengers. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the progress of this initiative at Rail Bhawan and instructed officials to ensure that passengers face no inconvenience during the transition.
Indian Railways is set to make a major overhaul of its reservation system. Starting in August, the train ticket booking process will gradually shift to a new Passenger Reservation System (PRS), replacing the legacy system that has been in use since 1986. The objective of this transition is to simplify the booking process, enhance system capacity, and provide a superior experience for passengers. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the progress of this initiative at Rail Bhawan and instructed officials to ensure that passengers face no inconvenience during the transition.
**A Modern Makeover for a 40-Year-Old System**
The existing Passenger Reservation System (PRS) was launched in 1986 and has undergone minimal changes over the years. It has now been redeveloped using state-of-the-art technology, making it faster and capable of handling a higher volume of ticket bookings. Indian Railways introduced online ticket booking in 2002, and today, the majority of passengers prefer booking online rather than visiting a counter; approximately 88% of ticket bookings now take place via digital platforms.
**Multiple Features via the RailOne App**
This transformation is part of the Railways' digital initiative. Launched in July 2025, the RailOne app has surpassed 35 million (3.5 crore) downloads in less than a year. The app offers passengers a centralized platform for various services, such as booking and cancelling tickets, checking train status, accessing platform and coach details, and lodging complaints. Overall, this new system and app are making railway services more accessible and efficient for passengers. According to the Railways, approximately 9.29 lakh tickets are booked daily through the app, comprising around 7.2 lakh general tickets and 2.09 lakh reserved tickets.
**AI-Powered Ticket Confirmation Probability**
A standout feature of this system is the AI-based waiting list prediction, introduced earlier this year. This feature indicates the likelihood of a waitlisted ticket getting confirmed. According to the Railways, its accuracy has risen from 53% to 94%, helping passengers plan their journeys more effectively. Following the launch of the new passenger reservation system in August, the Railways aims to make ticket booking faster, smarter, and more reliable, thereby offering greater convenience to millions of passengers across the country.
The existing Passenger Reservation System (PRS) was launched in 1986 and has undergone minimal changes over the years. It has now been redeveloped using state-of-the-art technology, making it faster and capable of handling a higher volume of ticket bookings. Indian Railways introduced online ticket booking in 2002, and today, the majority of passengers prefer booking online rather than visiting a counter; approximately 88% of ticket bookings now take place via digital platforms.
**Multiple Features via the RailOne App**
This transformation is part of the Railways' digital initiative. Launched in July 2025, the RailOne app has surpassed 35 million (3.5 crore) downloads in less than a year. The app offers passengers a centralized platform for various services, such as booking and cancelling tickets, checking train status, accessing platform and coach details, and lodging complaints. Overall, this new system and app are making railway services more accessible and efficient for passengers. According to the Railways, approximately 9.29 lakh tickets are booked daily through the app, comprising around 7.2 lakh general tickets and 2.09 lakh reserved tickets.
**AI-Powered Ticket Confirmation Probability**
A standout feature of this system is the AI-based waiting list prediction, introduced earlier this year. This feature indicates the likelihood of a waitlisted ticket getting confirmed. According to the Railways, its accuracy has risen from 53% to 94%, helping passengers plan their journeys more effectively. Following the launch of the new passenger reservation system in August, the Railways aims to make ticket booking faster, smarter, and more reliable, thereby offering greater convenience to millions of passengers across the country.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from TV9. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
