Many times women ride the train with their small children. That is, railway is an ‘all-age fit’ means by which people go from one place to another. In such a situation, everyone should be aware of the rules of the railways. Today we are going to tell you what are the rules if you are booking tickets for children in the train.
A large number of people travel by Indian Railways every day. Railways is the easiest way to travel for everyone, whether senior or elderly. Many times women ride the train with their small children. That is, railway is an ‘all-age fit’ means by which people go from one place to another. In such a situation, everyone should be aware of the rules of the railways. Today we are going to tell you what are the rules if you are booking tickets for children in the train.
Children below 5 years can travel for free
If a child of 1 to 4 years of age travels in railways, then there is no need to make reservation in a reserved coach. Children below 5 years of age can travel in the train without a ticket. However, on the demand of the people, Railways has made some changes in the rules in August 2022. Children from 5 years can travel for free but they will not get any reserved seat. At the same time, parents will have the option to book a separate seat for their child. For this they will have to pay full fare.
This is what the Railways has to say
According to the PIB website, “A circular of the Ministry of Railways dated 06.03.2020 states that children below the age of five years will have the facility of free travel. However, separate berth or seat (in chair car) will not be provided.” Therefore, there is no need to purchase any ticket, provided a separate berth is not claimed. However, if a berth/seat is sought for children below 5 years of age on a voluntary basis, the full adult fare will be charged.”
These are the rules for 12 year old children
At the same time, if you do not take a separately reserved seat for children between 5 years to 12 years, then you will have to pay half the ticket fare for the child. The child can travel on the seat of his/her parent or accompanying person. But if you are booking a separate seat or berth for a child between 5 years to 12 years, then you will have to pay the full ticket fare. Although this was not the rule earlier. Railways had announced on March 31, 2016 that it will charge full fare for children aged between 5 years and 12 years if they require a separate berth or seat in the reservation coach. This rule was implemented from 21 April 2016.
Railways made a profit of Rs 2800 crore
It is noteworthy that due to this rule of Railways, their profits have also increased a lot. According to CRIS information, in the last seven years, more than 3.6 crore children traveled without reservation by paying half fare. At the same time, separate berth booking was done for 10 crore children from whom full money was taken. According to the answer revealed in an RTI, due to the change made by the Railways in the rules of ticket booking for children aged 5 to 12 years, the Railways has earned Rs 2800 crore in seven years i.e. from March 2016 to now.
