Indian Railway News: Indian Railways has taken a significant step towards enhancing passenger convenience and modernizing the ticketing system. Following approval from the Railway Board, the 'Shareable UTS Season Ticket' service on the RailVAN app was implemented on September 2, 2026. Previously, passengers could only book season tickets (monthly passes) for themselves; however, with this new update, they can now book season tickets for family members and friends from the comfort of their homes.

**Key Features and Rules of the Shareable UTS Season Ticket**
In addition to booking a ticket for themselves, a registered user can book up to five additional season tickets for other eligible individuals or family members. For Mumbai local trains, the booking of more than one season ticket for oneself will be subject to existing suburban regulations; this means only the person in whose name the ticket is issued is authorized to travel using it.

**Ticket Validity**
A ticket booked in the user's own name becomes valid on the day of booking—specifically, once geo-fencing verification is complete. A shareable season ticket booked in another person's name becomes effective and valid from the day following the booking date.

**Age Requirements**
The primary user booking the ticket on the RailVAN app must be at least 18 years old. Meanwhile, the other passenger—the person for whom the season ticket is being booked—must be at least 5 years old.

**Required Documentation During Travel**
Passengers holding a shareable season ticket must carry a printed copy, or a valid PDF/electronic copy on their mobile phone, to present to ticket-checking staff during the journey. It is important to note that the ticket is valid only if the passenger's photograph and details are clearly visible. The photograph is also digitally embedded within the ticket's QR code.

Entry will not be granted based on these documents:
Pay slips generated via the RailONE app; booking or payment receipts; generic screenshots lacking full details; standard photocopies of UTS paper tickets; or any document that does not display the passenger's photograph and the prescribed ticket details.

Two-level ticket checking using photographs and QR codes
Ticket-checking staff will first verify the photograph on the ticket against the person traveling. In case of any doubt, the TTE will scan the ticket's QR code using their Hand-Held Terminal (HHT) machine. The digital photograph and data displayed on the HHT screen will then be cross-verified with the passenger's face and details.

What happens if the QR code is defective or damaged?
The QR code is the primary identifier of the ticket. Consequently, if the ticket's QR code is damaged, tampered with, altered, or unreadable during the journey—preventing digital verification via the HHT machine—the ticket will be considered invalid.

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