Lok Sabha Question No. 352 (STARRED), answered on 2015-12-23
Subject: Full Fare for Children
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 352 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.12.2015

## FULL FARE FOR CHILDREN

*352.   SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA: SHRI  DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  change  its  rules  and charge  full  ticket  fare  for  children  between  the  ages  of  five  and twelve  years  if  a  berth/seat  is  sought  for  them  in  the  reserved class;

- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c)  whether  this  rule  is  also  applicable  in  the  case  of  unreserved tickets and if so, the details thereof;

(d)  the  revenue  likely  to  be  earned  by  the  Railways  as  a  result thereof  and  the  time  by  which  a  decision  is  likely  to  be  made effective; and

(e) whether  this move  is likely to affect the  common  train passengers and if so, the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

) SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 352 BY SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA AND SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 23.12.2015 REGARDING FULL FARE FOR CHILDREN

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) Instructions have already been issued that in case of children of age 5 years and above but below the age of 12 years for whom full berth (in reserved class) is sought at the time of reservation, full adult fare shall be charged.

However at the time of  reservation  if  berth  is  not  sought  for  the children of age 5 years and above but below the age of 12 years, then half of basic adult fare will continue to be charged subject to minimum distance  for  charge.  The  change  is  expected  to  provide  the  following benefits:-

- i. Potential of adding 20 million additional berths in a year for passengers without any additional input.
- ii. Upto 20 million additional passengers, including senior citizen and women, could travel by train on confirmed berths every year which is equivalent to about 20,000 additional trains in a year/54 additional trains in a day.
- iii. Optimal utilization of available accommodation.
- iv. Potential of generating additional revenue for the Railways.

This  will  help  in  augmenting  passenger  transport  capacity  of  the railways till such time the approved line capacity works are completed to facilitate running of additional trains.

- (c) No, Madam.
- (d)  The  additional  revenue  expected  to  be  earned  by  Railways  due  to revision  in  the  child  fare  would  be  about ` 525  Crores  in  a  year.  The revision in child fare shall be implemented by 22.04.2016.

(e) No change with regard to child fare for unreserved class have been made.  Therefore, there shall be no effect on the common  train passengers.  The  number  of  child  passenger  who  availed  child  fare  in unreserved class during 2014-15 was approximately 6.20 crores; for this category  the  revised  rules  shall  not  be  applicable.  The  revised  rules would be applicable only for number of child passengers who opt to avail berths on child fare in reserved class.  This number during 2014-15 was approximately 2.11 crores and the revised rules will be applicable to this category.  The passengers will have option to opt or not opt for berth for their children. In case passengers do not opt for berths full fare shall not be charged and only half of the adult fare shall continued to be charged.

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