Last updated: June 2026
Indian Railways Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) let you buy unreserved train tickets, platform tickets, and renew season tickets without queuing at a counter 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can pay using a Railway Smart Card or any UPI app (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) by scanning a QR code on the machine.
In 2026, one major change affects every ATVM user: the UTS on Mobile website has been shut down and replaced by the new RailOne app for all online smart card recharge and ticket-related services. This guide is fully updated to reflect that change.
What Is an ATVM?
An Automatic Ticket Vending Machine (ATVM) is a self-service touchscreen kiosk at Indian Railway stations. It issues unreserved tickets for suburban and non-suburban routes without requiring you to visit a staffed counter. ATVMs operate 24×7.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Smart Card Cost | ₹70 (₹50 refundable deposit + ₹20 recharge value) |
| Minimum recharge | ₹20 |
| Maximum recharge | ₹9,500 |
| Bonus on recharge | 3% extra value |
| Card validity | 1 year from last recharge |
| Cancellation charge | ₹30 |
| Tickets available | 1st/2nd class, single, return, platform, season renewal |
| Payment options | Smart Card, UPI QR code (any UPI app) |
How to Get an ATVM Smart Card
- Visit the Smart Card Management Counter (SMC) or any nominated booking counter at your station.
- Pay a minimum of ₹80 to ₹30 is a refundable security deposit and ₹50 is your starting balance.
- Recharge the card at the counter or online via the RailOne app (see below).
You no longer need a smart card to use an ATVM. UPI QR code payment lets you buy tickets directly without one.
How to Book Tickets at an ATVM – Step by Step
Platform Ticket
Platform ticket printing steps is as follows
- Place your Smart Card on the reader slot.
- Tap “Platform” on the screen.
- Select number of passengers (up to 4).
- Tap “Print” and collect your ticket from the drop box.
MMTS Ticket
- Place your Smart Card on the reader.
- Select your Zone (Zone 1 or Zone 2).
- Choose destination, class (I or II), and passenger type (Adult/Child).
- Review the preview screen, then tap “Print“.
Non-MMTS / Long Distance Ticket
- Place your Smart Card on the reader.
- Tap “Press here if your station is not in the map“.
- Type the first three letters of your destination (e.g., WAR for Warangal).
- Select your station from the dropdown; pick a route if multiple options appear.
- Choose train type: Ordinary, Mail/Express, or Superfast.
- Select ticket count, class, Adult/Child, and tap “Ticket“.
- Confirm on the preview screen and tap “Print“.
Paying via UPI QR Code (No Smart Card Needed)
Southern Railway introduced QR code payment across 99 ATVMs at 6 divisions. You can buy tickets without owning a smart card at all.
Steps:
- Enter your journey details on the ATVM as usual.
- On the payment screen, choose one of:
- Railway Smart Card
- BHIM UPI QR Code (Pay by Paytm)
- BHIM UPI QR Code (Pay by Freecharge)
- A QR code appears on screen — scan it with Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or any UPI app.
- Complete the payment. Your physical ticket prints automatically.
Link to Awareness Video on the above subject in Southern Railway’s You tube Channel : QR Code based Payment in ATVMs : Steps
✅ Discount: Get 0.5% off on renewal of suburban season tickets when paying via UPI QR code.
For queries or complaints about ATVM digital payments, contact RailMadad or call 139.
How to Recharge Your ATVM Smart Card in 2026 : via RailOne App
Important update: The UTS on Mobile website (utsonmobile.indianrail.gov.in) was permanently shut down on 1 March 2026. Indian Railways launched RailOne on July 1, 2025, and it is now the consolidated passenger interface for all ticketing and smart card services. All online ATVM smart card recharge now happens through RailOne.
Online recharge via RailOne app:
- Download the RailOne app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- If you were registered on UTS, log in using the same username and password. New users can register with their mobile number or email.
- Select “Smart Card Recharge” from the menu.
- Enter your smart card number (printed on the physical card).
- Enter the recharge amount and confirm.
- Pay using UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- After payment, visit any ATVM within your Railway zone and tap your card to activate the balance.
R-Wallet balances from UTS accounts are being auto-migrated into RailOne for users who register with the same mobile number.
One Touch ATVM: Get Your Ticket in 6 Seconds
Indian Railways launched One-Touch ATVMs across 486 ATVMs on Western Railway and 92 ATVMs on Central Railway in the Mumbai Suburban Network.
| Feature | Regular ATVM | One Touch ATVM |
|---|---|---|
| Steps to book | 6 Steps | 2 Steps |
| Time taken | 30 – 60 Sec | 6 Sec |
| Destinations | All UTS Stations | Top 20 Only |
| Platform Ticket | Supported | Single Touch |
How it works:
- One screen handles both single and return journey selection.
- Tap “Up to Station” and pick your destination from the top 20 in your distance slab.
- Ticket prints immediately.
ATVM ✅ Facilitators: Free Help at the Machine
If you are unsure how to use an ATVM, a Facilitator is stationed nearby to assist you at no charge.
What they do:
- Help first-time or unfamiliar passengers buy tickets.
- Collect exact fare and operate the machine on your behalf.
- Manage queue order during peak hours.
- Allow smart card holders to proceed without waiting in the assisted queue.
- Report ticket roll depletion or machine faults.
Commission: Facilitators retain the 3% bonus credited on smart card recharges. No extra charge is passed on to passengers.
✅2026 update: Northern Railway’s Delhi Division issued a recruitment notification for 47 ATVM Facilitator vacancies in 2026, confirming the scheme remains active and expanding.
FAQs
✅ What is ATVM?
Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM).
✅ What is the main purpose of ATVMs?
Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM) help to reduce passengers queuing up at the ticket counters at Railway stations.
✅ How does ATVMs are operating?
ATVMs are touch screen based ticketing kiosks operated using Smart Cards.
✅ What are all the advantages of ATVMs?
- No queue
- No problem of small changes
- Being transferable, it can be used by any member of the family
- User friendly
✅ What is one touch ATVM?
The salient features of one touch ATVM is that a passenger can obtain a ticket in just two steps instead of earlier six steps on a regular ATVM.
✅ If I don’t know to book ticket via ATVM, then what will I do?
If you don’t know to book ticket via ATVM, no issues, a Facilitator will help you for getting the ticket from the ATVM.
✅ Who is a Facilitator?
Railway introduced the scheme for Facilitators to facilitate passengers in getting unreserved tickets without manual intervention
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Sir I recharged my card with 500 rupee before 15 days, now it’s showing only 11 rupees, where is my money, I use my card often. After 500 recharged I just only tickets of 40 rupees , where is my money, and I how can I recover them
Please contact nearest railway station counter or contact
There is a big problem in ATVM cards. We keep cards in normal purse & after some days, cards couldn’t be read by machines. On talking with booking counter official, he suggested me for a replacement at free cost. But giving guidelines how to keep the card.
Is there is really any such guidelines for ATVM cards?
I would request authorities to provide a sturdy card for hassle free journeys.
my smart card expired on 18th July 2018 and frequently inquired about extension or refund of money. No result approx 603 rupees are still in account.
please reply
Sir In Ludhiana there are 10 atvm. But fortunately always 2 are in working conditions. Rest few dispense tickets inside otherwise not working. I noticed no one cares to promote these mechanisms. Whereas it really help passengers
Can I get the smart card to my home address??
I have purchased an ATVM card as i am a frequent traveller on 11/8/16, it has been almost half a month, neither that card is working nor the issuing counter has any measures to solve the problem.I have topup of 350/- approx in the card which seems to be of no use.
Hi
Tried to buy the ticket through ATVM and followed complete proceedure to buy a ticket but ticket didn't come from machine and balance has been charged from my card. Approached ticket vendor to help on this but she said she is not aware of the ATVM and infas balance can not be reversal. Location: Dornakal Junction, Telangana.
ATVM is in kolkata also
it was launch in the four metros at the same time.
Railways can permit the commuters who have reached Chennai using Reservation Ticket to travel to nearest station through Suburban trains without buying a separate suburban ticket. Or they can consider collection of extra cost also to avoid queue in suburban ticket counters especially at Park or Central Suburban Station. Guna Shekaran R Adv
it is very good news for frequent travellers and avoid the rush during the train arrival and it is only can done by the educated people only and villagers cannot do. hence a may help you counter at THESE COUNTERS.