During the Covid pandemic, the Railways halted fare concessions for senior citizens, causing financial strain.
Now, the Modi 3.0 government is contemplating reinstating these concessions, which could benefit millions of elderly passengers.
Proposed Changes and Considerations
According to reports, the government plans to reintroduce fare discounts, potentially limited to sleeper class to ease financial burdens on the railways. Eligibility might focus on senior citizens unable to afford sleeper class fares.
Revised Application Process
In a departure from past practices, senior citizens may need to indicate their desire for fare discounts at the time of ticket booking, rather than automatically receiving them based on age.
Changes and Considerations
According to a report in Dainik Bhaskar, there are discussions within the Modi 3.0 government about restoring the rail fare concession for senior citizens, particularly for sleeper class travel.
This move aims to minimize financial strain on the railways, ensuring that the concession benefits those who genuinely need it.
Under the proposed plan, senior citizens would need to explicitly request the fare discount when booking tickets,
rather than it being automatically applied based on age. Additionally, there’s a suggestion to limit this benefit to a few times per year per passenger.
Past Discounts and Financial Implications
Before Covid-19, senior citizens enjoyed up to 50% fare discounts across general, AC, and sleeper coaches.
The suspension of these discounts in March 2020 sparked debates in Parliament, with railways defending their decision citing substantial existing passenger subsidies.
Recent Trends in Senior Citizen Travel
Despite initial refusals to reinstate discounts, recent data reveals a significant rise in senior citizen train travel post-pandemic, prompting reconsideration by the government.
This anticipated move to revive fare concessions could mark a significant relief for senior citizens under the Modi 3.0 administration.
