People in India frequently travel by train every day. The main difference lies in the choice of coach—some prefer the General class, while others opt for the AC compartments.
Indian trains offer various amenities during the journey, like food services, comfortable seating, and restroom facilities.
All you need to do is book a train ticket, and then you can enjoy your journey with ease. However, there’s a facility that you might not be familiar with.
Travel Benefits for Patients: Discounts You Should Know
We’re talking about the facility provided to patients, offering them substantial discounts on train fares. These discounts are determined based on the illness.
Indian Railways has kept special provisions for many patients. Before booking your train ticket, it’s important to know about this list.
Discounts for Cancer Patients
Cancer patients traveling with one companion receive a discount on train fares:
- 100% discount in Sleeper and AC-3 Tier.
- 50% discount in First AC and AC-2 Tier.
- 75% discount in First AC, First Class, and Second Class.
Benefits for Heart Surgery Patients
Patients heading for heart surgery and their attendants receive the following discounts on train fares:
- 75% discount in Second Class, Sleeper Class, First Class, AC-3 Tier, and AC Chair Car.
- 50% discount in First AC and AC-2 Tier.
Discounts for Other Ailments
Other patients and their attendants enjoy discounts as well:
- 50% discount for Tuberculosis patients in Second Class, Sleeper Class, and First Class.
- 75% discount for Hemophilia patients in Sleeper Class, AC Chair Car, AC-3 Tier, and AC-2 Tier.
- 50% discount for AIDS patients in Second Class.
How to Avail Discounted Tickets
To avail discounted train tickets, patients need to provide a copy of their medical certificate.
This certificate should be issued by an authorized hospital or the institution where the patient is receiving treatment.
Physically disabled individuals can also book discounted tickets online by showing their disability certificate.
It’s important to note that you can only avail of one type of discount at a time. Additionally, the distance of travel should be more than 300 kilometers to be eligible for the discount.
If you plan to disembark during the journey after availing the discount, you need to inform the Ticket Travel Examiner (TTE).
