Cash On Track: India Debuts Its First ATM Inside A Train Coach (Image: X/railwaychronicles)
Indian Railways has successfully tested the country’s first ATM onboard a moving train, bringing banking services right to passengers’ fingertips even while they’re on the move.
The pilot was carried out this week on the Panchavati Express, which runs between Manmad (Nashik district) and Mumbai, and the response so far has been promising.
The ATM was installed as part of the Innovative and Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme (INFRIS), an initiative aimed at boosting non-ticket revenue through creative partnerships.
In this case, the project was launched through a collaboration between the Bhusawal Division of Indian Railways and the Bank of Maharashtra.
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Ity Pandey, Divisional Railway Manager of the Bhusawal Division, told The Times of India that the trial was largely successful, with only minor connectivity issues in known low-signal zones.
“The idea came up during an INFRIS meeting, and we moved quickly to make it happen,” Pandey said. “We’re now closely monitoring the machine’s performance, but the initial results have been encouraging,” Pandey added, quoted by TOI.
Installed inside an air-conditioned coach, the ATM is accessible to all passengers on board on interconnected coaches via vestibules. It allows users to withdraw cash, order cheque books, and access account statements, just like at a regular ATM on the ground.
The only issue reported during the trial was a brief loss of network signal in the stretch between Igatpuri and Kasara, which is known for weak mobile coverage due to multiple tunnels.
The same coach that houses the ATM is also used on the Mumbai–Hingoli Janshatabdi Express, effectively extending the facility to passengers on that longer route as well. This approach saves resources while offering greater coverage.
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Railway officials have said that if the service continues to run smoothly, it could be rolled out to more trains in the near future, especially on long-distance routes where access to cash during the journey can be a challenge.
To ensure the safety of passengers and the machine, the ATM is fitted with a secure shutter system and monitored through round-the-clock CCTV surveillance.
Officials say they are also exploring additional safety protocols based on passenger feedback and real-time usage.
