New Delhi: A large number of people in India believe that travelling by train is a good option. Trains allow entire families to reach their destination safely and at a low cost. Travelling by train is the preferred choice for travellers travelling long distances. Tickets are mandatory for train travel.
Sometimes, fines are imposed for those caught without tickets. However, many people are confused about child ticketing, and you can find the right answer here. The Railways have established some rules regarding children’s train travel.
If you are planning to travel with children, you should first understand some important rules to avoid any problems. What are the Railways’ rules regarding child ticketing? Learn more in detail below.
Railway Rules for Children’s Tickets
The Railways have established some rules regarding children’s tickets. According to the Railways, children up to five years of age are not required to travel safely. Therefore, children can travel completely free. If your child is 5 years of age or younger, there is no need for a ticket. Additionally, children must sit on their parents’ accompanying seat.
This privilege is available in all train classes. Children aged five to 12 years are required to pay a full ticket. Previously, this was considered a base ticket. However, the rules have changed. According to the new rules, a full ticket must be paid for the child.
The child will receive a separate berth. If, for some reason, a berth is not booked for the child, or if the child is only travelling, a child of this age can be considered in the free category. This option must be selected when booking the ticket.
What about children over 12 years old?
If a child over 12 years old is directly accompanied by an adult passenger, they must pay a full ticket. The berth is provided as per the regular schedule. There are no exemptions to this rule. People often make mistakes here. To avoid such mistakes, it is advisable to carry proof of age.
Aadhaar card, identity card, and school ID card also play a vital role in proving a child’s age. These can be shown during the TTE’s interview. Misrepresenting a child’s age can result in a penalty.