Railways Fares Discount: In March 2020, the Indian Railways discontinued the concessions given to senior citizens on train fares. Under this concession, a discount of 50 percent was given to female senior citizens and 40 percent discount was given to male and transgender senior citizens.
Railways Fares Discount: Senior citizens are hopeful of the possible restoration of railway concessions by the government. In March 2020, the Indian Railways discontinued the concessions given to senior citizens on train fares. Under this concession, a discount of 50 percent was given to female senior citizens and 40 percent discount was given to male and transgender senior citizens. As a result, now senior citizens have to pay the full fare.
Railways benefited from withdrawal of concessions
According to the Railways, men and transgenders aged 60 years or above and women aged 58 years or above are considered senior citizens. Senior citizen railway concessions were available on all categories of mail and express trains such as Duronto, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains. According to reports and RTI, the Railways has got extra revenue by withdrawing the concession given to senior citizens.
During the period of suspension, Indian Railways generated a revenue of Rs 5,062 crore from eight crore senior citizens, of which Rs 2,242 crore came from the lack of concessions. In this segment, there were 4.6 crore male passengers, 3.3 crore female passengers and about 18,000 transgender persons.
What does the government say?
In 2022, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav told Parliament that there has been a persistent demand to restore railway concessions to senior citizens. However, he said that such a restoration would increase the financial burden on the government. In December 2023, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav highlighted that the Railways provided substantial subsidy of Rs 59,837 crore on passenger tickets in 2019-20 keeping in mind all sections of the society, which is an average concession of 53% for each rail passenger.
Vaishnav said this subsidy will continue for all passengers, with additional concessions given to various categories, including four categories of disabled persons (Divyangjan), 11 categories of patients and eight categories of students.
