Concierge service, introduced by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), can now be availed through round the clock 139 Interactive Voice Response (IVR) facility. The concierge service includes facilities like e-wheelchair, pick and drop, and porter service at major railway stations.

“We have decided to expand the portfolio of passenger facilities on 139 IVR which is largely used for PNR, seat and fare inquiries, booking meals. The ‘Rail Sampark’ service is a runaway success which has revolutionized the customer interface with the Railways,” said IRCTC chairman and managing director A K Manocha.

“Only recently we had introduced a facility allowing passengers to cancel train reservations and claiming refunds on the 139 service. Now one just needs to use his/her phone to ring up 139 and avail the concierge facilities for a safe and convenient travel experience,” he added.

Manocha said the pick and drop service would facilitate rail passengers at major stations in hiring cabs in small and medium segments. “Any bona fide train passenger with confirmed train ticket in select trains can opt for this facility on a chargeable basis. The list of these trains will be available at the time of booking. All Visa, Master, debit and credit cards can be used for booking such a service,” he said.

The porter service is meant to assist rail passengers to carry their luggage from platform to parking area or pick and drop (cab) and from cab in parking area to the railway platform.

The concierge service also provides the facility of e-wheelchair to assist the old, ailing, differently abled or needy passengers on railway platforms. Booking of such a facility is also available on IRCTC portal www.irctc.co.in or www.irctctourism.com. E-wheel chair is provided free of cost on advance booking depending on the availability. Any passenger having confirmed/RAC/Partial WL reservation ticket may book the wheelchair through website.

The services  available on SMS 139 include PNR and fare enquiry, current position of train, ticket booking, arrival/ departure of train, seat availability (General/ Tatkal/ Ladies Quota) in select trains, train timetable, trains between stations, train route, train schedule and next train information, station code information, meal booking, destination alert and IRCTC Lounge information.