Indian Railways has removed the facility to book monthly train passes through the UTS mobile app and directed passengers to use the RailOne app for all new pass purchases. The change is part of a broader move to consolidate services and encourage digital payments for unreserved ticketing.
RailOne app India now the primary route for pass booking
The railways has confirmed that while existing passes can still be displayed via the UTS app during ticket checks, new pass bookings must be completed through the RailOne app. UTS will continue to offer regular ticket booking for reserved and unreserved journeys, but the permanent withdrawal of the pass-booking feature means passengers must migrate to RailOne for monthly and seasonal passes.
The Ministry of Railways has also introduced a time-bound incentive to accelerate digital transactions. Passengers who purchase unreserved tickets via the RailOne app using any digital payment method will receive a 3% discount on fares. The concession applies from 14 January 2026 to 14 July 2026. Previously, cashbacks were restricted to payments made using the app’s R-wallet; under the new directive, UPI, debit and credit cards and other digital payment options will qualify for the discount.
The change was communicated on 30 December to the Centre for Railway Information Systems, with instructions to implement the necessary software updates immediately. RailOne aims to provide a single platform for multiple services including monthly pass purchase, reserved and unreserved ticketing, refunds, meal orders, train search and PNR enquiry.
Passengers will see a prompt within the UTS app directing them to download RailOne from the Play Store or App Store. To migrate, users must download RailOne, complete the required identity and profile details, log in and follow the in-app flow to book a pass. For those who prefer in-person service, monthly passes remain available at PRS counters at railway stations.
The railways’ move is likely to speed adoption of digital payments, broaden the reach of the RailOne platform and simplify passenger transactions by centralising pass and ticket services. RailOne’s expanded payment eligibility should make it easier for commuters to claim the 3% reduction during the six-month incentive period.
Practical considerations remain. Passengers switching to a new app will need clear guidance on documentation and account setup, and station staff will need to handle queries during the transition. The railways has asked CRIS and related teams to apply software changes without delay to ensure RailOne’s features and discount rules work seamlessly.
In summary, the withdrawal of pass-booking from UTS and the strengthened promotion of RailOne signal a push by Indian Railways to modernise ticketing processes and promote cashless payments. Commuters should download RailOne ahead of their next pass renewal to take advantage of the limited-period discount and the platform’s wider range of services.
Key Takeaways:
- Indian Railways has moved monthly pass booking from the UTS app to the RailOne app to centralise pass services.
- Passengers using the RailOne app India for unreserved tickets will receive a 3% discount on all digital payments from 14 January to 14 July 2026.
- UTS will continue to show existing passes and handle regular ticket bookings, while RailOne offers passes, refunds, PNR checks and meal orders.
- Passengers can also book monthly passes at PRS counters if they do not wish to use the app.
