New Delhi, March 11 (NationPress) In the fiscal year 2024-25, Indian Railways provided a remarkable subsidy of Rs 60,239 crore on passenger tickets, translating to an average concession of 43 percent for each traveler. This means that if the service's cost is Rs 100, the ticket price is only Rs 57, as revealed by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a parliamentary session.

This subsidy remains applicable to all passengers. Additionally, there are extra concessions available for various groups, including four categories of persons with disabilities (Divyangjans), 11 categories of patients, and eight categories of students, as stated by the minister in a written response to the Lok Sabha.

The minister emphasized that ticket pricing is not regarded as a "trade secret" by the Railways. Information regarding fares for all categories of passenger services is publicly accessible.

To promote transparency, detailed information about the components of passenger fares (such as Base fare, Reservation charge, Superfast charge, GST, etc.) is displayed on tickets and published in fare tables, both in print and digitally. This information is also available through computerized ticketing systems (Passenger Reservation System, Unreserved Ticketing System) and mobile applications like RailOne.

Moreover, any alterations in passenger fare rationalization and revisions are published widely. As a publicly owned enterprise, Indian Railways is accountable to the public and Parliament for delivering services sustainably. The fare structure considers service costs, competition from other transport modes, and affordability, as pointed out by the minister.

The fare for the Vande Bharat Sleeper train is determined based on a per passenger-per-kilometer rate, specifically Rs 2.40 excluding GST for the 3rd Air-conditioned Class (3AC). Indicative fares for a 1,000 km journey, excluding GST, stand at Rs 2,400 for 3 AC.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper train represents a distinct category of passenger service with an all-inclusive fare structure, lacking provisions for RAC tickets. Passengers on the waiting list receive confirmation when confirmed passengers cancel.

Vaishnaw noted that Indian Railways consistently aims to enhance facilities for passenger convenience, particularly for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwDs). Notable provisions for these groups include automatic allotment of lower berths to PwDs, senior citizens, and female passengers aged 45 and above, subject to availability. Additionally, a combined quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in Sleeper class and specific allocations in Air Conditioned classes are designated for senior citizens, female passengers over 45, and pregnant women.