K'taka: Book Bus, Air, Railway Tickets in Post Offices

Bangalore, Sep 15: Now you can book your Bus, Air and Railway travel tickets in Post Offices in Karnataka, thanks to Genie Ease-Ticket launched by ARM i Solutions Private Limited (ARM) and India Post.

After successful launch in Tamil Nadu in May-2008, the Genie Ease-Ticket was launched in 150 Post Offices across the State. ARM i Solutions Private Limited Chairman Dr Usman Faraz said that domestic travel was expected to grow at 20 per cent over the next five years and Post Offices now entering service sector will help traveling public especially in rural areas. More than One lakh tickets were sold through online in the country. However, there is no web site created, only server was installed in respective Post Offices for the purpose. "Our main aim is to provide these services in rural areas and the number of Post Office would be increased gradually," he added.

Replying to a question, he said that in Tamil Nadu the system launched in 27 Post Offices has been well received and the number would be increased to 100 shortly. "We will be launching similar project in Maharashtra and Kerala next month." "ARM and India Post would install Genie Ease Ticket and roll out the travel ticketing services in about 8000 Post Offices in the next 12 to 15 months. The local Post Office Staffs have been given proper training." Karnataka Chief Postmaster General M P Rajan said that of the total 150 Post Offices covered under the project only 50 are in Bangalore, others are in rural areas. The number of Foreign Currency exchange and sale of Passport application counters would be expanded shortly from the present three and 80 respectively.

UNI