Booking train tickets has become remarkably convenient in recent times, owing to technological advancements and the Indian Railways' efforts to enhance passenger experience. Through online platforms, travelers can now book not only reserved tickets but also platform and general tickets without enduring the long queues at railway stations. Here's a detailed guide on how to book both general and reservation train tickets online.

Reservation Tickets:

To book reservation tickets online, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your account on the IRCTC e-ticketing website.
2. In the "Book your ticket" section, input your journey details including the boarding station, destination station, date of travel, and travel class.
3. Click on "Find trains" to view the available trains for your selected route and date.
4. Check the train timings and fares, then click on "Book now" for your preferred option.
5. Enter passenger details such as name, age, gender, food choice, travel insurance, mobile number, etc., for all passengers. Click on the "Continue Booking" button.
6. Review your booking, make the payment, and you're done.

General Tickets:

For booking general (unreserved) train tickets online, you can use the UTS app. Here's how:

1. Download the UTS app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and register or log in.
2. Click on the "Book Ticket" option and select the type of ticket you wish to book.
3. Enter the required details including the source and destination stations, passenger type, ticket type, and train type.
4. Finally, click on "Book Ticket" and complete the payment process.

The UTS app allows passengers to book unreserved tickets within a 20km radius of the source railway station in non-suburban areas and 5km in suburban areas. Additionally, passengers can also book platform tickets, season tickets, and monthly passes through the app.

In other related news, the Indian Railways has introduced various initiatives to improve passenger services, such as concession rules for patients and senior citizens, and the launch of breastfeeding pods at stations by the Kochi Metro. Furthermore, smartphone apps like Google's offer useful tools for frequent Indian Railways passengers, adding to the convenience of travel.

In conclusion, with the ease of online booking systems and the availability of mobile apps like UTS, booking train tickets has become simpler and more accessible than ever before, marking a significant advancement in railway services for passengers across India.