A new system to be introduced in the concession for senior citizens for Train tickets
Posted on: 07/Jul/2017 12:06:45 PM
The department of Railways has decided to introduce a new system in the scheme offering concession on train tickets to the senior citizens.
Presently, a system is in practice offering concession in the train ticket fare to the senior citizens of the country. A 40% concession on the fare is offered for men and a 50% concession is offered for women.
Because of this concession, the Railways stand to incur a loss of Rs. 1300 Crores per year.
In order to reduce this loss, the department of Railways has decided to introduce a new procedure.
In the new system, while booking the train ticket for the senior citizen, a question will be asked whether a 100% concession or a 50% concession is preferred.
Depending on the answer to this question, the concession will be given. If the option of 50% concession is preferred, it would reduce the loss incurred by the Railways accordingly.
However, in order to introduce this new system, the software in use has to be upgraded. Once the software up-gradation is completed, this new system will be implemented.
The Railway Spokesperson informed that there are no current plans to appeal to the public and the senior citizens to give up this concession.
Due to the subsidies that are given to the passengers, Railways incur an annual loss of Rs. 30000 Crores per year.
As per the news released by the department, only 57% is the revenue earned as referred to the total expenditure on running the trains. The balance 43% has to borne by the Railways as a loss.
