Coronavirus: Railways withdraw senior citizen concession to discourage non-essential travel
By Newsmeter Network Published on 19 March 2020 3:38 PM GMT
Vijayawada: In order to minimise travel-related risks to the elderly and discourage them from non-essential travels, the Indian Railways has decided to withdraw concessions for senior citizens immediately from Thursday midnight. The move will temporarily be in effect until further notice.
The mortality rate and the risk of spreading the virus are high among the elderly. Withdrawal of concessions is part of a wider plan to discourage unnecessary travel and hence concessional bookings for all tickets have been withdrawn except for patients, students, and Divyangjan category for both unreserved and reserved categories. No difference in fare shall be collected for tickets already purchased before 20 March, a release said.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) offers concessional fares on train tickets for senior citizens i.e. all male citizens aged 60 years or above and females aged 58 years or above can avail concessions in train fares. The eligible male and female senior citizens can avail a concession of 40 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively.
