Rail Ticket Concession: There is important news for rail passengers. During the Corona epidemic, the concessions given to senior citizens in tickets were abolished, which is waiting to start. But in the meantime big information has been received from the sources. Let’s know the latest updates.
Railway Concession to Senior Citizen: There is important news for those traveling by rail. The Indian Railways is planning to resume the service of concession tickets to passengers of other categories including senior citizens and sportspersons who were closed during the Corona period. Actually, after the criticism, the Railways is considering reinstating concessions for senior citizens, but it is possible that it will be only for the general and sleeper category.
Senior citizens will get discount in rail fare again!
According to the information received from the sources, the government can change its terms and conditions like age criteria. It may happen that the government provides concessional fare facility to people above 70 years which was earlier for women of 58 years and men of 60 years. Sources have indicated that the main reason behind this is to adjust the financial burden on the railways by giving these concessions while retaining the subsidy for the elderly.
Earlier discount was available
It is worth noting that before March 2020, in the case of senior citizens, the Railways used to give 50 percent discount to women and 40 percent to men for traveling in all classes in the case of senior citizens. The minimum age limit for taking this exemption from the Railways was 58 for elderly women and 60 years for men. But after the Corona period, all the concessions available to them have been abolished.
Information given by sources
A source said, “We understand that these concessions help the elderly and we have never said that we are going to do away with it completely. We are reviewing it and will take a decision on it. Sources indicated that the Railway Board is contemplating to change the age criteria for concession of senior citizens and make it available only to those above 70 years of age. This will limit the obligations of the Railways.
Facility closed since 2020
Before being withdrawn during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the senior citizen concession was for women aged 58 years and above and men aged 60 years and above. Women were eligible for 50 percent relaxation, men and transgender could avail 40 percent relaxation in all categories. Another provision that the Railways is considering is to limit the concessions to non-AC class travel only. A source said, “The logic is that if we restrict it to sleeper and general categories, then we will accommodate 70 per cent passengers. These are some of the options that we are looking at and nothing has been finalised.’
Railways is also considering this
Railways is also considering another option, that is to introduce ‘Premium Tatkal’ scheme in all trains. This will help generate higher revenue, which can be useful in bearing the burden of concessions. This scheme is currently applicable in about 80 trains. Premium Tatkal scheme is a quota introduced by Railways to reserve certain seats with dynamic fare pricing.
This quota is for the convenience of last-minute travel planners who are willing to spend a little extra. Premium Tatkal fare is inclusive of basic train fare plus additional tatkal charges. Last week, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, in reply to a question in Parliament, said that the cost of giving concessions is heavy on the Railways. “In view of the various challenges, it is not desirable to expand the scope of concessions to all categories of passengers including senior citizens,” he had said.
Rail travel becomes expensive for the elderly
Actually, the big reason behind giving concession to senior citizens was that most of the elderly lack the source of income. After this, after the start of the corono epidemic (Covid 19 Pandemic) in March 2020, the government has suspended the concessions given to them for rail travel, in such a situation, rail travel is expensive for senior citizens. is falling.
