IRCTC expands e-catering services

 IRCTC expands e-catering services

New Delhi: IRCTC, bouyed by the success of Phase-I of providing e-catering services, has extended this facility to a further 25 pairs of trains across the country from January 23, according to a recent press release.

Passengers can either call 1800 1034 139 (Toll free) or 0120 4383892-99 (8 lines) or order online at www.ecatering.irctc.co.in. The list of trains on which the facility is available is uploaded on the website.

IRCTC is tying up with reputed food suppliers across the country so as to offer a wide variety to passengers to choose from. IRCTC shall also be a platform to make available to passengers the popular food items/brands in the market, as an option to existing choices available.

While passengers having waitlisted as well as confirmed ticket may book meals over phone, the facility through website is available for passengers having valid confirmed reservation ticket only. The services are available from 0600 hrs to 2200 hrs, currently. At present, the minimum order value is Rs 60 per unit per location/station.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Question: In how many trains is e-catering service available?

Answer: At present, the e-catering service is available in only limited number of trains running without pantry car. The list of 39 such trains (pair) is displayed in the website.

Question: What is e-catering?

Answer: "e-catering service has been started by IRCTC exclusively for passengers travelling in trains without pantry where passenger can book preferred meal through e-catering website as well as through phone and SMS also. The website address is www.ecatering.irctc.co.in and phone numbers are 1800-1034-139 (Toll-free), 0120-4383892-99 (Toll) and SMS MEAL to 139.

Question: How Can I book e-catering service through website?

Answer: Any passenger having valid confirmed reservation ticket may book the meal through website as well the phone. The trains in which e-catering services are available are also uploaded for information of the passengers. The process of booking is as under: -

Passenger will enter the PNR. Stations list shall appear/display in drop down menu. Passenger may choose the station he/she wishes to book meal on. After which, vendor menu will open along with item prices.

Passenger may choose the vendor and the meals to be booked. Prices of meal will be displayed with the meals.

On confirmation of booking, e-payment for the transaction is to be made.

On completion of transaction, SMS and email shall be generated and sent to the customer as well as the service provider.

The SMS and email shall have the details of the order. The SMS content to passenger shall have an OTP (One Time Password) which will be used for verification by the service provider on the mobile application at the time of delivery of meal.

In addition to the above SMS and email at the time of booking of meal, SMS and email shall again be forwarded to the passenger 02 hours before the scheduled delivery time at the station for convenience of customer. Further, an email shall also be sent to the passenger 24 hours before the scheduled delivery time at the station.

Question: How Can I book e-catering service through phone?

Answer: Passenger may book e-catering service by calling 1800-1034-139 (Toll-free), 0120-4383892-99 (Toll) for wait listed as well as confirmed ticket. The booking shall be made by the call center executive and subsequently, the passenger shall be informed of confirmed meal booking through SMS and email.

The SMS and email shall have the details of the order. The SMS content to passenger shall have an OTP which will be used for verification by the service provider on the mobile application at the time of delivery of meal.

In addition to the above SMS and email at the time of booking of meal, SMS and email shall again be forwarded to the passenger 02 hours before the scheduled delivery time at the station for convenience of customer. Further, an email shall also be sent to the passenger 24 hours before the scheduled delivery time at the station.

Question: How Can I book e-catering service through SMS?

Answer: Passenger may book e-catering service for waitlisted as well as confirmed ticket by SMS MEAL<PNR> to 139. Once the SMS is sent, the call center executive shall call to the customer for taking order, subsequently, the passenger shall be informed of confirmed booking through SMS and email.

The SMS and email shall have the details of the order. The SMS content to passenger shall have an OTP which will be used for verification by the service provider on the mobile application at the time of delivery of meal.

In addition to the above SMS and email at the time of booking of meal, SMS and email shall again be forwarded to the passenger 02 hours before the scheduled delivery time at the station for convenience of customer. Further, an email shall also be sent to the passenger 24 hours before the scheduled delivery time at the station.

Question: I have e-ticket, can I use e-catering?

Answer: Yes, this facility can be availed by passengers having valid reservation ticket either e-ticket Or ticket taken from reservation window.

Question: I am travelling in Shatabdi Express, can I book meal through e-catering.

Answer: Currently, this facility is available only in limited number of trains running without pantry car.

Question: My ticket is not confirmed and is wait listed, can I book the meal through e-catering?

Answer: Yes, passengers with wait listed ticket in the select trains can book meal through e-catering on phone & SMS only at Toll-free number -1800-1034-139 & 0120-4383892-99 (Toll) and SMS MEAL<PNR> to 139.

Question: I have booked 5 tickets against one PNR, out of which only 03 tickets are confirmed and 02 tickets are remained wait listed after preparation of chart? Shall I get the meals, which I have I booked through e-catering?

Answer: Yes, Partially confirmed tickets shall be treated as confirmed and food booking shall remain valid, unless cancelled by the passenger.

Question: Which meal can I Book through e-catering?

Answer: The rates along with meal are already available on website with specification. Passengers may choose the meal as per need and choice.

Question: My train is reaching at Agra at 2330 hrs, can I get meal through e-catering?

Answer: No, currently the services are available from 0600 hrs to 2200 hrs

Question: Will I get booked meal, if my train gets delayed?

Answer: Yes, the train shall be monitored; however, the passenger, if so desired, may cancel the meal as per the terms & conditions.

Question: What are the Terms & Conditions?

Answer: The terms & conditions are available on website.

Question: How will I make payment for meal booked?

Answer: Passengers can make payment through e-payment, if meal is booked on website and in case of meal ordered through phone & SMS, the payment is to be made in cash to the delivery staff at the time of receiving the pre-ordered meal.

Question: What is the minimum order value for the booking?

Answer: At present, the minimum order value is Rs. 60 per unit (vendor) per location/station.

Question: What is OTP?

Answer: OTP stands for One Time password. This will be unique password which shall be communicated to the passenger who has confirmed meal booking. The passenger shall need to enter the correct OTP in the mobile application of delivery boy as identification proof of passenger.

Question: How do I know, when the booking of meal is confirmed?

Answer: On completion of transaction, SMS and email shall be generated and sent to the customer immediately as well as 02 hours before from the scheduled delivery time and the SMS and email be also be forwarded to customer 24 hours before from the scheduled delivery time.

Question: Whom do I contact, if my meal is not delivered?

Answer: Passengers may contact the e-catering Call Center on the numbers 1800-1034-139 (Toll-free), 0120-4383892-99 (Toll).

Question: How can I cancel my order?

Answer: Customer may cancel the confirmed meal booking online 02 hours prior to the scheduled delivery of meal (Refund of balance amount after deduction of cancellation charges of Rs. 20 per transaction). It can also be cancelled later i.e. within less than 02 hours of delivery time or later. However, no refund shall be made in case order is cancelled within less than 02 hours of delivery time.

Question: When will I get the refund?

Answer: The process of refund shall take at least 3 days time from the date of cancellation excluding the date of cancelation.