OREANDA-NEWS. August 16, 2011. At present, there are 68 private companies enlisted with Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for e-ticketing and additionally there are 15 agencies from state government/public sectors also. Zone-wise enlistment is not done by IRCTC, however, the authorized companies/agencies have been permitted to appoint sub-agents across the country to enable a wider reach, reported the press-centre of Indian Railways.

IRCTC levies a service charge of only Rs.10/- per e-ticket for Second/Sleeper class and Rs.20/- per e-ticket in case of all other classes (1AC, 2AC, 3AC, CC, 3E, FC) irrespective of the number of passengers booked on an e-ticket.

In case of tickets booked through IRCTC’s authorized agents an additional service charge of Rs.10/- per e-ticket in case of non-AC class (Second/Sleeper) class and Rs.20/- per ticket in respect of other classes (1AC, 2AC, 3AC, CC, 3E, FC) is levied. The money earned by IRCTC on account of share of service charge during 2010-11 is Rs.136/- crore (provisional).

Two mobile ticketing vans were commissioned in January 2010, one each at Kolkata and Delhi. 25 more mobile ticketing vans have been sanctioned.