Fresh look at unreserved ticketing
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Transcript of Fresh look at unreserved ticketing
Indian Railways started mobile-based ticketing so passengers can buy tickets without queuing up.
That, however is not the only problem to solve. We could do lots more …
Similar isn’t same
Location from cell towersNo dependence on smartphones or data network
1
Automatic checking Make it hassle free for passengers and staff alike
2
infrastructureTechnology for achieving the lowest cost
3
A fresh look at the design
Sunil Bajpai, Divisional Railway Manager, Trivandrum, July 2015
1. Non-transferable2. Single use3. Receipt for
payment
1. Non-transferable2. Single use3. Receipt for
payment
Must be difficult to• fake, • duplicate, or • reuse
Burden of issuing tickets1. Booking
window/ATVM2. Manpower3. Central
infrastructure4. Network5. Cash handling
Must be difficult to• fake, • duplicate, or • reuse
1. Booking window/ATVM
2. Manpower3. Central
infrastructure4. Network5. Cash handling
Easiest problem, already solved
Wallet on smartcard or cellphone
Options for everyone
A ticket in the hand of the passenger is his
The ticket validates his story at the station or train, where challenged
A ticket in the database linked to his mobile is hisThere needn’t be a physical Point of Sale
Eliminates Point of Sale terminal
Ticket must remain difficult to• fake, • duplicate, or • reuse
1. Booking window/ATVM
2. Manpower3. Central
infrastructure4. Network5. Cash handling
Ticketing app creates the ticket in the database
Passenger activates the ticket at starting station
Can a passenger without a smartphone buy such tickets?
Smart! Smarter!!
Ticket from Churchgate to Bandra please
Ticket from Churchgate to Bandra please
• To a new user:• One 2nd class ticket from
Churchgate to Bandra costs Rs 10.
• You must call again from Churchgate to start your journey—within an hour from now.
• Please say “yes” to issue ticket.
• To an advanced user:• Ticket issued. Thank you.
Buy in 14 Indian languagesAnd some international ones!
Are they consistent with the passenger’s story?
• Location• Time
Location from cell tower
• Always available, unlike GPS• In bad weather• With poor data connectivity
• Does not need a smartphone! • Can be done on server side, rather than on the
phone• Tested in Mumbai Division of WR with encouraging
results
The App periodically checks the ticket and displays validation status
Scan
For integritycheck of app
Touch
Full record of journey:start, checks en route, and exitTicket always checked against the databasePassenger’s location is part of the record of check
What if the phone dies during journey!?
TTE punches your phone number into his handset
Or, scans
Fetches your ticket and confirms your ID through voice-biometrics!
Fraud prevention
• location from cell tower or GPS or Wi-Fi network or i-beacons or thousands of NFC tags
• Start • En route • Exit
• Random 5 minute delay in activation to prevent purchase upon spotting TTE
• Location prior to activation
• Random challenge: HOTP in non-ticketed area of the starting station
What remains of the burden?
Must be difficult to• fake, • duplicate, or • reuse
1. Booking window/ATVM
2. Manpower3. Central
infrastructure4. Network5. Cash handling
Both support unrecorded transactions and solve the problem of double spending the same way
Recorded transactions prevent double spend without a physical exchange of token, but have required a Central Authority
• No central authority or infrastructure
• Trustless system (cryptographic security)
• Database is a public ledger (blockchains)
• Transactions validated by nodes on the network
Robust, low cost design!
blockchain, […], "should be considered as an invention like the steam or combustion engine," that has the potential to transform the world of finance and beyond.
A crypto-ticket, like crypto-currency could use the same revolutionary invention
Use the blockchain, not bitcoins
Proposed solution
• More secure• Infrastructure
• Mostly public• Cheapest cost
• Few points of failure
1. Booking window/ATVM
2. Manpower3. Central
infrastructure4. Network5. Cash handling
Savings, fraud resistance, and lowest cost infrastructure is okay.
But can I make money?
• Full records for unprecedented data analytics• Introduce new ticket types, modify price, etc.
• Value added services, e.g.• 25% off at a restaurant next to the station.
Please say “yes” to reserve your table now.• Cabs? Movies off the Wi-Fi? Parking? Platform ticket?
• Real-time information, e.g. how full is the train?• Next train to Bandra is less crowded. Would arrive in 5
minutes.
Uber, the world’s largest taxi company, owns no vehicles. Facebook, the world’s most popular media owner, creates no content. Alibaba, the most valuable retailer, has no inventory. And Airbnb, the world’s largest accommodation provider, owns no real estate. Something interesting is happening.
The Battle Is For The Customer Interfacehttp://tcrn.ch/1DI138A by @tomfgoodwin
TechCrunch4:30 AM - 4 Mar 2015
Questions or comments?@sunilbajpai on Twitter