Travel Food Services develops digital payment partnership

INDIA. In what is claimed to be an industry first, Freecharge, India’s leading digital payments platform, has partnered with Travel Food Services [TFS] to offer new payment services for travellers.

Passengers can use Freecharge wallets for their food orders at selected food outlets across Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Mangalore and Bangalore airports. In addition, the F&B centres titled ‘Rail Dhabas’ at Pune and Vishakhapatnam railway stations (operated by TFS) will also offer digital payment facilities through Freecharge.

Travellers can register their mobile phone number with Freecharge and complete the transaction with an ‘OnTheGo’ pin in less than ten seconds.

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The new payment system will be on offer through TFS’ network at key airports and rail stations

Freecharge is also creating an end-to-end digital payments experience for passengers by making their journey to airports and railway stations cashless. The company is fitting out taxis across India with its technology. As part of the pilot programme over 15,000 taxis across Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore are already accepting payments via Freecharge wallet.

Freecharge CEO Govind Rajan said: “Freecharge is a customer-centric company that strives to offer unmatched payment solutions to its customers. Food counters by Travel Food Services are the go-to dining options for travellers during transit. Our partnership with TFS will greatly benefit passengers, as they don’t have to worry about paying in cash or searching for change in the urgency of boarding their flight or train.

“With this partnership, customers will stand to benefit from a swift, secure and hassle-free digital payment experience. Our aim is to bring on board merchants where the digital payments will remove friction and help expedite the process of payments at the counter. We are excited to be contributing towards government’s vision of a ‘less cash’ economy.”

Travel Food Services Executive Director Varun Kapur said: “Our association with Freecharge is a great step forward to offer more convenience to our travelling customers and in providing a swifter and secure payment option at ports of travel that are busy and warrants such initiatives that will save passengers’ time.

“This partnership will benefit users offering more convenience through the effective use of technology. This endeavour is aligned to our commitment to transform the experience of travellers and promises to enhance customer satisfaction while on the move.”

Customers can also gain cash back in their first transaction at TFS-managed outlets at major airports, as well as at Pune and Vishakhapatnam railway stations.

TFS operates F&B brands at major airports including Cafeccino, Dominos, Subway, Idli.com, Curry Kitchen, Cafe Coffee Day, Dilli STREAT, Swich, Noodle Wok, Mumbai STREAT, KFC among others, which now offer the Freecharge service.

The ‘Rail Dhaba’ at Pune and Vishakhapatnam railway stations also now offer the Freecharge option to passengers. Outlets located there include Andhra Kitchen, Curry Kitchen, Maroosh and Noodle Work and others.

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