Since October 11, the Western Railway (WR) has sold more than 9,047smart cards, has sold more than 48,872 tickets through ATVMs (automated ticket validating machines) and earned more than Rs 14 lakh, according to railways sources. Sources said the sale of smart cards was also increasing gradually-on October 15 alone, WR sold 748 smart cards earning more than Rs 1.22 lakh.

A jobless boy, on condition of anonymity, admitted he had sold hundreds of tickets using his smart card at stations like Malad, Goregaon and Santacruz. “I am not alone. Many others are earning money using smart cards,” he said.

“What’s wrong in this? Queues are long and I give tickets to who don’t want to stand in long queues. I have purchased four smart cards of Rs 500,” he added.

However, when contacted, a senior WR official said, “It’s not illegal. They are not selling tickets in black. In a way, they are helping the railways. They are helping those who are not educated and can’t use ATVMs.”

The first two ATVMs were inaugurated at the Churchgate station on October 11 by A K Jhingron, General Manager of WR—the railways has so far installed 117 of the 125 sanctioned ATVMs at 28 local stations.

“This scheme has become popular. It will be very beneficial for railways as well as commuters,” said Satyaprakash, Divisional General Manager (WR).