Ease of Travel for Senior Citizens in the Indian Railways: Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 609 by Ms. Sushmita Dev, answered on 07.02.2025 by Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology (Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw)

 Ease of Travel for Senior Citizens in the Indian Railways: Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 609 by Ms. Sushmita Dev, answered on 07.02.2025 by Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology (Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 609
ANSWERED ON 07.02.2025

EASE OF TRAVEL FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

609 Ms. SUSHMITA DEV:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by Government to ensure ease of travel for senior citizens in the Indian Railways;
(b) the number of senior citizens that have travelled by Indian Railways, since 2020, year-wise;
(c) the number of senior citizens that availed any fare concessions offered by the Indian Railways, year wise, and the amount of concession offered since 2020,year-wise;
(d) the amount of fare concession offered to all sections, especially senior citizens since 2020, year-wise;
and
(e) whether the concession to senior citizens have been discontinued, if so, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e) During the financial years 2020-21 to 2024-25 (upto December, 2024), approximately 2357.8 crore passengers of all ages (including senior citizens) travelled on Indian Railways. Further, with a view to provide safe and convenient journey to senior citizens, Indian Railways has already taken various steps, some of which are as under:-

1. Provision to allot lower berths automatically to senior citizens, female passengers of 45 years and above even if no choice is given, subject to availability of accommodation at the time of booking.
2. Earmarking of a combined reservation quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in Sleeper class, four to five lower berths per coach each in Air Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) and three to four lower berths per coach in Air Conditioned 2 tier (2AC) classes (depending on the number of coaches of that class in the train) for senior citizens, female passengers 45 years of age and above and pregnant women.
3. Allotment of lower berths falling vacant in the train to senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities or pregnant women on priority.
4. Earmarking of unreserved accommodation for senior citizens in 2nd class general compartment on suburban sections of Indian Railways.
5. Earmarking of separate counters at various Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centers for dealing with the reservation requisitions received from senior citizens subject to demand pattern and availability of counters.
6. Provision of Battery Operated Vehicles (BOVs) at some important stations for senior citizens, divyangjans, sick passengers and pregnant women.
7. Provision of wheel chairs at railway stations.
8. Provision of ramps, lifts, escalators, signage, May I Help Booths, etc. at various stations.

Indian Railways strives to provide affordable services to all strata of the society and gave subsidy of 56,993 crore on passenger tickets in 2022-23. This amounts to concession of 46% on an average, to every person, travelling on Railways. In other words for easier understanding, 1f the cost of providing service is ₹100, then the price of ticket is ₹54 only. This subsidy is continuing for all passengers. Further, concessions beyond this subsidy amount are continuing for many categories like 4 categories of Persons with disabilities (Divyangjans), 11 categories of patients and 8 categories of students. Further, number of passengers availing the concession in different classes and in different trains over various Zonal Railways varies from year to year.

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