Indian Railways has rolled out RailOne, a comprehensive “super-app” that brings many railway services together under one platform. Launched by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), RailOne aims to simplify travel, reduce app clutter, and improve user experience.
Here’s how RailOne works, its key features, and what passengers should be aware of.
What is RailOne?
RailOne consolidates many of the separate apps Indians currently use for train travel—IRCTC Rail Connect, NTES (for train running status), UTS (for unreserved tickets), Rail Madad (grievance system), eCatering and food-booking, etc.
The idea is: one app instead of multiple, so you can do everything from reserved/unreserved ticket booking, PNR checks, train tracking, food ordering, refunds and more, all from a single interface.
Key Features of RailOne
Here are the standout features that make RailOne a big deal:
| Feature | What it Offers |
|---|---|
| Unified Ticket Booking | Book reserved, unreserved, and platform tickets via the same app. |
| Live Train Status & Tracking | See real-time locations, platforms, delays. |
| PNR Status and “My Bookings” | View all your tickets in one place, see booking history, check confirmation or waitlist status. |
| Coach Position Finder | Helps you find which coach you are in, on the platform. |
| E-Wallet (R-Wallet) | A digital wallet integrated for payments in the app (tickets, etc.) using mPIN or biometrics. Some perks for unreserved tickets (discounts). |
| Single Sign-On | You can log in with IRCTC or UTS credentials. New users via OTP. Biometric/mPIN login also supported. |
| Refund Management | Initiate refunds, track them. |
| Rail Madad Integration | File complaints, provide feedback, track resolution. |
| Multilingual Support & Accessibility | Designed to support many Indian languages, easier UI. Also features for Divyangjan (disabled) etc. |
What’s Changed / Improvements
Alongside the app, a few system changes were introduced:
Reservation chart finalization is now earlier: ~8 hours before train departure instead of 4 hours. This helps waitlisted passengers get confirmations earlier.
For Tatkal tickets (the urgent quota), now only verified users (Aadhaar / DigiLocker etc.) can use them, and OTP verification is required.
A major backend upgrade (PRS system) is being planned, to handle much higher volumes of bookings and enquiries, more languages, more user-friendly UI.
What it Means for You (the Traveler)
Here are some benefits—and what you should watch out for:
Benefits
Fewer apps to install, fewer logins. Everything in one place.
More reliable data: real-time train status, coach positions, PNR etc.
More time saved: earlier confirmation of charts, clearer booking history, and refunds.
Better security for Tatkal and transactions via R-Wallet, biometric/mPIN etc.
Easier use for people who prefer regional languages or need accessibility options.
Things to Keep in Mind / Possible Limitations
Since it’s new, may have occasional bugs, slower performance under high load (e.g. Tatkal rush).
Some features might not yet be scaled fully—for example, the backend capacity for very high requests is still being upgraded.
User experience will depend on your phone’s capabilities, internet connection, and earlier app versions.
For now, some services (especially Tatkal booking, refunds) will have these stricter verification steps. So make sure your documents are ready (Aadhaar etc.).
How to Get Started with RailOne
If you’re planning to use it, here’s what to do:
Download the app from Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
Sign in using your existing IRCTC or UTS credentials, or register as a new user via mobile + OTP.
Explore features like ticket booking (reserved / unreserved), live train status, PNR check etc.
Add funds or set up R-Wallet for payments.
Keep your ID documents (Aadhaar/DigiLocker etc.) ready especially for Tatkal or verified bookings.
Final Thoughts
RailOne is a big step in simplifying and modernizing train travel in India. If you’re a frequent traveler, or even if you just take trains occasionally, this app will likely reduce hassle, help you stay updated, and save you time. It’s not perfect yet (no new system is), but it promises a more unified railway experience.
Want to know about budget friendly Ac train, explore this blog - low-cost ac-trains in india to travel comfortably on a budget
Check here all Indian train schedule
Comments