Central Railway, the oldest operating passenger line in India, has moved to grant a 40% cut in the passenger fare for transgender senior citizens.
“Ministry of Railways has decided to grant 40% concession in railway passenger fare to Transgender (T) Senior Citizen of age 60 years & above, with effect from 1 January 2019,” said Sunil Udasi, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railways to Asian News International.
Before this policy change, these concessions were only available to men ages 60 and above, and women over 58. Senior men receive a 40% discount, and women get 50% off.
The new policy also introduced a third column for gender on the railways reservation/cancellation form and on their website. The transgender category will be able to receive the discount starting on the first of January.
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The railway offers discounts in a total of 53 different categories, including several different student discounts, lower fares for those involved with the Central Staff Selection Commission, and even farmers seeking to visit agricultural exhibitions can get a cheaper ticket.
Other changes being introduced include increases in the availability of reservations senior citizens of any gender as well as female passengers and pregnant women on several trains.
