New Delhi – Indian Railways is making a big change in how people book tickets on mobile. From March 1, 2026, the old UTS app, which many use for unreserved tickets, will stop working. All ticket booking will move to a new single app called RailOne. This is part of a plan to make things easier for passengers by putting everything in one place. No more juggling different apps for reserved tickets, unreserved ones, or checking train status. RailOne will handle it all. The change started with some features already turned off in UTS, like new sign-ups and season ticket renewals. Now, the full shutdown is coming soon. Millions of daily commuters, especially in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, rely on UTS for quick bookings. They need to switch to RailOne fast to avoid trouble. The railways say this will make travel smoother and faster. “We want to give passengers a better digital experience,” said a railway official in a statement. But some users worry about learning a new app. Let’s look at what this means.
The UTS app, short for Unreserved Ticketing System, has been around for years. It lets people book general class tickets, platform tickets, and season passes without going to the counter. It’s handy for local trains and short trips. But from March 1, 2026, you can’t use it anymore for bookings. The railways have been warning about this for weeks through social media and station announcements. They started the phase-out by stopping new users from signing up and blocking season ticket renewals on UTS. If you have money left in your UTS wallet, don’t worry – it will carry over to RailOne. Just log in with the same details. This shift is to cut down on too many apps. Before, you had IRCTC for reserved tickets, UTS for unreserved, NTES for train info, and more. Now, RailOne brings them together. It’s like a super app for trains. The change comes after feedback from users who said having many apps was confusing. Railways tested RailOne for months and now it’s ready for everyone.
Why Is Indian Railways Making This Change?
The main reason is to make things simple. Indian Railways carries over 2 crore people every day. Many use phones to book tickets. But with different apps, it’s hard. RailOne fixes that by putting all services in one spot. “This is a step towards digital India,” said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in an earlier talk about app updates. He said it will save time and reduce mistakes. Also, it helps the railways manage data better. They can track bookings and train loads in one system. This could mean fewer crowds at stations and faster service. The change also fits with government plans to push cashless payments. RailOne has easy digital pay options, and there’s a 3% discount on unreserved tickets if you pay online until July 2026. That’s to get more people using the app. But not everyone is happy. Some older users or those in rural areas with slow internet might find it tough. “I like UTS because it’s simple. Why change?” asked a commuter on social media. Railways say they have made RailOne easy to use, with help sections and support.
In the past, Indian Railways has tried to update its tech. The IRCTC app started in 2014 for reserved tickets. UTS came in 2015 for unreserved. Then NTES for train tracking. But users complained about bugs and slow speed. RailOne was launched in 2025 as a test. It got good reviews for being faster. Now, it’s the main app. This is like how banks merged apps or how Uber has one app for rides and food. It saves space on your phone and makes life easy. Railways hope this will increase online bookings, which are already over 80% for reserved tickets. For unreserved, it’s lower, but they want to boost it. Safety is another angle. With one app, they can send alerts about delays or cancellations right away.
What Is RailOne App and Its Key Features?
RailOne is the new all-in-one app from Indian Railways. You can download it from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. It’s free and works on Android and iOS. The app has a clean look with easy menus. Here’s what it does:
- Book reserved tickets like before on IRCTC.
- Book unreserved tickets, platform passes, and season tickets – what UTS did.
- Check PNR status to see if your ticket is confirmed.
- See live train running – where your train is now.
- Find coach position so you know where to stand on the platform.
- Order food on train through Food on Track service.
- File complaints via Rail Madad.
- Plan journeys with route maps and fares.
It’s like having the whole railway in your pocket. The app uses your location to suggest nearby stations. It supports many languages like Hindi, English, Tamil, and more. Payments are safe with UPI, cards, or wallets. “RailOne is faster and smarter,” says the app’s promo on Instagram. Users say it loads quick even on slow net. But some report bugs in the first version. Railways are fixing them with updates. Compared to UTS, RailOne has more features. UTS was just for tickets, but RailOne is full service. It’s linked to your Aadhaar or phone for easy login.
To get started, download RailOne. Use your old IRCTC or UTS login. If new, sign up with phone number. Add money to wallet for quick buys. For season tickets, renew online without lines. The app shows QR codes for tickets, which you scan at gates. This cuts paper use too.
How to Migrate from UTS to RailOne?
Switching is easy. First, download RailOne from the store. Open it and log in with your UTS or IRCTC details. Your balance will show up. If not, contact support. Railways say no need to transfer manually. But do it before March 1 to be safe. “Install RailOne today and stay ahead,” says a railway post on Facebook. If you have a season pass on UTS, renew it on RailOne after the date. For new bookings, start using RailOne now. Test it with a small ticket. If you face issues, call 139 or use the app’s chat. Railways have videos on YouTube to guide you. In stations, staff will help. But in small towns, it might be hard. So, learn early. If your phone is old, check if RailOne works. It needs Android 5 or iOS 12 or above.
Many users have already switched. “Using RailOne for 7 months, better than UTS,” said a comment on Facebook. But some say the app crashes sometimes. Railways promise fixes soon.
Impact on Daily Commuters and Travelers
This change will affect millions. In Mumbai locals, UTS is popular for monthly passes. Now, they switch to RailOne. It might cause confusion at first, with longer lines at counters if app fails. But long term, it’s good. Faster bookings mean less wait. For long trips, one app for all is handy. Tourists can plan everything. But in areas with poor net, like villages, people might stick to counters. Railways say they are adding more WiFi at stations. Economy wise, more online means less printing costs for railways. Passengers save time. But if app has downtime, big problems. In 2025, IRCTC crashed during Tatkal rush. Hope RailOne is stronger.
User reactions are mixed. On Twitter, some praise the unity. “Finally one app!” Others worry. “What if I can’t download?” Railways need good awareness drives.
History of Indian Railways Mobile Apps
Indian Railways went digital in the 2000s with website bookings. Mobile apps came later. IRCTC app in 2014 changed reserved tickets. UTS in 2015 for unreserved. It saved time at windows. Over 1 crore downloads for UTS. But as phones got smarter, need for one app grew. RailOne is the answer. It’s part of Make in India, built by CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems). Future plans include AI for predictions and voice booking.
Other countries have similar apps. Like UK’s National Rail or Japan’s Hyperdia. India is catching up.
Benefits and Challenges of the Shift
Benefits: Easy use, all in one, discounts, fast. Challenges: Learning curve, tech issues, access in remote areas. Railways should train staff and run camps.
“RailOne will make journeys smoother,” said a CRIS spokesperson.
What Happens After March 1?
UTS will be gone. Only RailOne. Update your app regularly. If problems, use website or counters.
This is a big step for Indian Railways.
FAQs
What is happening to the UTS app?
The UTS app for unreserved tickets will stop working from March 1, 2026. You can’t book tickets or renew passes on it after that. All services move to RailOne.
What is RailOne app?
RailOne is the new single app for all railway needs. It does reserved and unreserved bookings, train status, food orders, and more.
How do I switch to RailOne?
Download from Play Store or App Store. Log in with old UTS or IRCTC details. Balance transfers auto.
Will my UTS balance be lost?
No, it will be in RailOne when you log in.
What features does RailOne have?
Bookings for all tickets, PNR check, live status, coach info, complaints, food on train, multi-language.
Is there any discount?
Yes, 3% off on unreserved tickets with digital pay till July 2026.
What if I can’t use the app?
Go to station counters or call 139 for help.