Lok Sabha Question No. 414 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Concession to Senior Citizens in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi, Deepak (Dev) Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 414 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## CONCESSION TO SENIOR CITIZENS IN TRAINS

*414. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY: SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK (DEV):

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of trains being operated in the country;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  scrapped  the  concession  being  given  to senior citizens in train tickets;
- (c)  if  so,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  amount  earned  from  withdrawal  of fare subsidy of senior citizens in the last two years, year-wise;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  ending  the  concession  for  the elderly is unfortunate as this relief to the elderly is seen as a burden and if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to restore senior citizen concession in train tickets;
- (f) if so, the time by which it is likely to be restored and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (g) whether the Government has started any mechanism to allot lower berth seat for senior citizens specially female passengers; and
- (h) if so, the details of the initiative taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (h)  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a)  TO  (h)  OF  STARRED QUESTION NO. 414 BY DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY AND SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK (DEV) TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 29.03.2023 REGARDING CONCESSION TO SENIOR CITIZENS IN TRAINS

(a) to (h)  As on 23.03.2022, total average daily number of trains operated on Indian Railways network is  10378 including 2032 Mail/Express services and 2687 Passenger services.

The concession to senior citizens in passenger  fare has  been withdrawn from 20.03.2020. Government gave subsidy of ₹ 59,837 Crore on passenger  tickets  in  2019-20.  This  amounts  to  concession  of  53%  on  an average, to every person, travelling on Railways.  This subsidy is continuing for  all  passengers.   Further  concessions  beyond  this  subsidy  amount  are continuing  for  many  categories  like  Divyangjans,  students  and  patients. Revenue foregone due to concessions in passenger fare to Senior citizens during 2019-20 was approximately ₹ 1667 Crore.

Railways  operate  different  types  of  train  services  like  Garib  Rath, Rajdhani,  Shatabdi,  Duronto,  Vande  Bharat,  Gatimaan,  Tejas,  Humsafar, Mail/Express, Ordinary passenger etc.  Apart from this, different classes 1st AC, 2nd AC, 3rd AC, AC Chair Car, sleeper class, second class reserved/Unreserved, etc. are available on different fare structures for the use  of  passengers  including  senior  citizens  who  can  travel  as  per  their preferences.

With  a  view  to  provide  lower  berths  to  senior  citizens  undertaking journey by trains, following steps have been taken:-

- (i) 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 such accommodation at the time of booking.
- (ii) Earmarking  of  a  combined  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 of 45 years of age and above and pregnant women.
- (iii) Provision  for  allotment  of  lower  berths  falling  vacant  in  the  train  by onboard ticket checking staff to senior citizens/Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)/pregnant woman who has been allotted upper/middle berths by the system.

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