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Travel Concessions

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Nayi Disha Team

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The state and central government of India offers travel concessions to individuals with additional needs. These concessions may differ from state to state and also vary by disability type and categories. This article answers some questions pertaining to travel concessions offered by the central government and accommodations and concessions offered while travelling in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana.

WHAT IT IS

  • Railway Concession
  1. Travel concessions are provided by the state and central government in the form of monetary concessions to PwD (Persons with disability), who can be accompanied by an escort.
  2. Indian Railways allow the following concessions:
  • 75% in Second, Sleeper, FirstClass, AC-3 tier, AC Chair Car.
  • 50% in First AC and AC-2 tier.
  • 25% in AC-3 tier & AC Chair Car of Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.
  • 50% in First and Second class Monthly season ticket & Quarterly season ticket.
  • One escort travelling with the individual with special needs is also eligible for the same concession.
  • Road Transport: Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) – AP Indradhanussu & Divyang Shakti Travel Schemes 
    • Free Bus Travel: Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) with a disability of 40% or more are eligible for free travel on APSRTC buses.
    • Escort Concession: Attendants or escorts, including those supporting passengers with mental health conditions, receive a 50% fare concession.
    • To avail escort concessions, passengers must carry a valid certificate or ID pass issued by the District Medical Board confirming disability or mental condition. 
  •  Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC)
    • Bus Travel: Visually impaired passengers and PwD can avail upto 70%-75% concession depending upon the bus service type
    • Escort Concession: Visually impaired passengers and PwD with disability above 65% and their attendants can both avail a 50% concession (ordinary and semi-luxury bus type)
  •  Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC)
    • Bus Travel: Concession can be availed by PwD including MR, visual/hearing impairment, orthopedic conditions etc. These concessions can vary depending upon the percentage disability. 
    • Escort Concession: Escorts/attenders can also avail discounts while travelling with the individual, however this is also dependent on the percentage disability of the PwD

WHO CAN APPLY?

  • For Indian Railways: PwDs with a UDID card/disability certificate** (**Indian Railways currently offers fare concessions only to four categories of disability): 
  1. orthopedically handicapped/paraplegic, 
  2. blind/visually impaired, 
  3. hard of hearing/speech impaired and 
  4. intellectual disability. 

Although Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is recognized under the RPwD Act, 2016, it has not yet been included in railway concession rules. The Delhi High Court has directed the Railway Ministry to review this policy, but an official amendment granting concessions for ASD is still pending. 

For APSRTC: PwDs with a disability of 40% 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS SCHEME?

Online Procedure:

Documents required for online application
1-Concession Certificate(can be obtained by a registered government doctor)
2-Disability Certificate/UDID Card
3-Age Certificate (PAN Card, School Certificate or as directed in Govt Notification Mentioned Parameter i.e. DD-MM-YYYY)
4-Aadhaar Card
5-Passport Size Photo

Please note:
-Applicant should have a working mobile number that is registered with their Aadhar card and complete the process within 72 hours.
-There is no editing option- so recheck all details before submitting.
-Carry the photo ID card for onboard / off-board verification during the journey.

Offline Procedure:

You can visit the District Railway Manager(DRM) Office in your city to apply for a Railway concession card. However, recent changes have led to some applications NOT being accepted at the DRM office. 

Applications/ Railway Concession forms are now available at your nearest railway reservation counter.

If approaching the DRM office:

  • Approach the nearest Divisional Railway Manager office along with all the relevant documents in original to claim concessions.
  • The Divisional Railway Manager will issue a photo identify card.
  • The photo ID Card can be used to book concessional tickets through both ticket counters as well as through the Internet.
  • The card with a unique ID number will have to be carried during journey and produced for onboard verification.
  • and passport size photograph for issue of a photo identity card.
  • This is a recent change as against the Concession Forms which had to be filled in earlier.
  • PwD first need to approach the nearest Divisional Railway Manager’s (DRM) Office with the following certificates in original:
    • Concession Certificate certified by competent medical authority ( see useful link for format)
    • Photo ID Proof
    • Date of Birth Proof
    • Address Proof
    • 2 passport sized photographs
    • All copy of documents have to be self -attested
  • All documents should be submitted in an envelope addressed to the Senior DRM 
  • The envelope should mention ” Application for Issue of  Railway ID Card for Physically Challenged persons for ticketing”
  • DRM office undertakes  verification by contacting the hospital where the Concession Certificate was issued.
  • A Photo ID Card is issued after vetting and a unique number assigned to the PwD
  • Applicant will be informed telephonically to collect the card
  • PwD or representatives have to collect the card by showing original documents.

If approaching your nearest major Railway station

  • Visit the counter: Visit the Divyangjan (Handicapped) Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter at any major railway station.
  • Submit the documents: Carry your UDID card or disability certificate (issued by a government doctor), Aadhaar card, and two passport‑size photos.
  • Fill the Concession form: The clerk at the counter will provide a concession form; complete the details about your journey, disability, and escort if needed.
  • Collect the ticket: After verification, you’ll receive a concessional ticket with fare reductions between 25% and 75%, depending on the disability category. 
    • If you plan to travel with an escort, their details must also be mentioned on the form and their photo ID should be presented at the time of booking.

USEFUL REFERENCES

Bus Passes for Persons with Disability (PwD) on APSRTC

https://www.apsrtc.ap.gov.in/On_PwdBusPasses.php

Concessions for Persons with Disability (PwD) on APSRTC 

https://msrtc.maharashtra.gov.in/GeneralPages/CitizensCharter8_TravelTicChart.aspx

Concessions for Persons with Disability (PwD) on TGSRTC 

https://www.tgsrtc.telangana.gov.in/other-passes?index=1

Divyangjan Card User Manual

https://divyangjanid.indianrail.gov.in/assets/DivyangjanManual.pdf

Link to Apply for the Railway concession card (Divyangjan card application)

https://divyangjanid.indianrail.gov.in/

Concessions granted to different categories https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/traffic_comm/Concession_list_different_persons.pdf

(Note: If you’re seeking more information and guidance on this topic and related areas, Nayi Disha’s Know Your Rights (KYR) Program is here to support you every step of the way. By joining, you’ll gain access to valuable resources on government schemes, benefits, financial support, legal rights, and more, all aimed at securing a brighter future for your child. To learn more, visit our chatbot by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/4dJVCP3, or simply type ‘KYR’ on our helpline number 844-844-8996.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this guide is for information purposes only. 

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