Wearable Tea Vending System Launched on AP Express

The Waltair Division of East Coast Railway has introduced a wearable vending system to replace the practice of serving tea from kettles on moving trains. Officials said the move is aimed at improving hygiene and enhancing passenger service.

Each 5-litre insulated can is capable of serving around 35 passengers at a time. Once refilled, the vendor can cover an entire coach in a single round.

Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Lalit Bohra launched the pilot initiative on the AP Express during the Bhogi–Sankranti festival.

“This is a first-of-its-kind gadget aimed at providing passengers with tastier, hotter and more hygienic beverages, while also ensuring ease of operation for vendors,” Bohra said. He added that passenger feedback on the AP Express will be monitored, and improvements will be made before extending the system to more trains.

Traditionally, tea and coffee were carried in hand-held cans, which many found unappealing and unhygienic. The new wearable gadget comes with an insulated thermos container. Tea and coffee packets are stored in one pocket, while disposable cups are kept in another, leaving the vendor’s hands free for easier movement and safer service.

A dedicated pocket has been provided for the disposal of used sachets and waste generated during vending, making the process cleaner and more environment-friendly. The system also includes a QR code to enable digital payments.

Officials said the design ensures that the equipment is not placed on floors, seats or other unhygienic surfaces, as seen in earlier practices. The insulated container helps retain heat for longer, preserving the taste and quality of tea, coffee, soup, milk and noodles served to passengers.