Train reservation timings for sr citizen to increase

There is some respite for senior citizens travelling inside crowded suburban local trains especially during peak hours.

There is some respite for senior citizens travelling inside crowded suburban local trains especially during peak hours.

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The Western Railway (WR) has decided to increase the timing dedicated to senior citizens inside the second-class compartment from three to four hours.

The new timing reserved for senior citizens is between 10 am to 5 pm, giving them the opportunity of getting a seat inside a crowded local train. “We hope the hardships faced by senior citizens lessen with increase in reserved timing,” said S Chandrayan, chief PRO, Western Railway.

Presently, the reservation period for senior citizens is from 12 pm to 3 pm. There are around seven seats earmarked for senior citizens inside a second-class compartment, which is indicated by markings above the seats.

It is usually found that commuters don’t respect the allotted seats to senior citizens even though it is mentioned on the train. Passenger associations too feel it is good move.

“We had been demanding this for a long time. This is a good initiative,” said Kailash Verma, member, Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh. The new white-violet trains also have a separate compartment for senior citizens and handicapped.