Indian Railways intend for a pleasant and a no hassle journey for the senior citizens hence it provides benefits and concessions to them.
The senior citizens can avail special concessions on demand while making a reservation. The minimum age for senior citizen concession is 60 years and it is 50% for women and 30% for men on fares of all classes of coaches and sleepers in the train. This includes the Sleeper Class, the First Class, Air Conditioned (AC) Chair and AC First Class and also Shatabdi and Rajdhani. While traveling the senior citizens have to carry a proof of their birth as issued by any Government Agency/ Institution and local Body. On not producing the age proof the Ministry of Railways have decided that only the difference in concessional fair should be paid and Non-Concessional fare shall be charged. However, the penalty will not be taken.
The Government has also created special booking counters for senior citizens so that they don’t have to stand in the queue for reservation for too long. The short lines do not cause inconvenience to the senior citizens and they can get their booking done with comfort. They also have an option to book their tickets through the online reservation system by clicking on the check box for senior citizens and thereby avail concession on demand.
Besides this special coaches have also been arranged for the senior citizens who use wheel chairs. These coaches have special provisions for wheel chair space, hand rails and also a specially designed toilet. Special ramps have also been created in stations for easy commuting-crossing tracks or climbing stairs. Wheel Chairs are also available at all junctions, District headquarters and all important stations.