New Delhi: In a revelation that’s reigniting the debate over fare concessions for senior citizens, Indian Railways has reportedly generated an additional ₹8,913 crore in revenue over the past five years by suspending the long-standing discounts for elderly passengers. This data, accessed via a Right to Information (RTI) query filed with the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), sheds new light on the financial impact of the 2020 decision.
Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Railways offered significant fare reductions—40% for men and transgender individuals aged 60 and above, and 50% for women aged 58 and above. These concessions were abruptly halted in March 2020, citing pandemic-related measures.
Since then, according to the RTI response, 31.35 crore senior citizens have travelled without the benefit of these discounts, resulting in a substantial additional burden on their pockets. The gender-wise revenue breakup revealed that ₹11,531 crore came from male passengers, ₹8,599 crore from female passengers, and ₹28.64 lakh from transgender travellers.
Despite frequent appeals in Parliament to reinstate these concessions, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has defended the decision. “On average, the Railways is already subsidizing 46% of the cost for every passenger,” Vaishnaw stated in earlier discussions, hinting at the financial strain faced by the transporter.
CRIS, which operates under the Railway Ministry, handles data related to ticketing and passenger information. The figures disclosed have raised fresh concerns over the affordability of travel for India’s ageing population, many of whom depend on these discounts for accessible mobility.
