Indian Railways to soon restore senior citizen concession for sleeper, 3A classes

Indian Railways will soon restore the concession to senior citizens in sleeper and 3A classes, Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. The national transporter during the nationwide lockdown in 2020 had discontinued the concession previously allowed to senior citizens in trains.

Notably, the parliamentary standing committee on Railways has advised to review and consider concession to senior citizens at least in the sleeper and 3A. 

According to Ministry of Railways, the government gave a subsidy of Rs 59,837 crore on passenger tickets in 2019-20. This amounts to the concession of 53 per cent on 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.

IRCTC: Facilities for senior citizens 

Senior citizens are required to carry an Aadhaar card or card while travelling as prescribed showing their age or date of birth and have to produce it if demanded by on-board ticket checking staff. While purchasing tickets no age proof is required.

Senior citizens can book reserved tickets across the reservation counters as well as through the internet.

While booking tickets online there is a provision to allot lower berths to senior citizens, Female passengers of 45 years and above automatically.

In all trains having there is reserved sleeping accommodation, a combined quota of six lower berths per coach in sleeper class and 3 lower berths per coach each in AC 3 tier and AC-2 tier classes has been earmarked for senior citizens.

To help old and disabled passengers requiring assistance at the stations and to strengthen the existing services, ‘Yatri Mitra Sewa’ is being provided.

Accommodation is also earmarked for senior citizens on suburban sections of Central & Western Railways.

IRCTC also provide free of cost ‘Battery Operated Vehicles for Disabled and Old Aged Passengers’ at railway stations. In addition, passengers can book e-wheel chairs online through the IRCTC portal www.irctc.co.in.