No fare for kids under five: South Central Railway

Hyderabad: Following reports that children aged below five years were being charged adult fares for train travel, South Central Railway (SCR) clarified that there has been no change in the rules regarding the booking of tickets for children.

 “There have been some reports that the Indian Railways has changed its policy for booking train tickets for children, and children under the age of five will be required to purchase a train ticket. These reports are misleading. The Indian Railways has made no changes to the booking of tickets for children travelling by train,” SCR said.

“Passengers have the option of purchasing a ticket and booking a berth for their under-five-year-old child if they so desire. And if they don't want a separate berth, it's free, just like it used to be,” SCR stated.

In a circular dated March 6, 2020, SCR had stated that children under the age of five will travel for free without a separate berth or seat. If passengers require berths or seats (in chair cars) for children under the age of five, they have to pay full adult fare.