The Railways informed the Parliament that the losses from fare concessions to passengers have decreased from Rs 2,059 crore in 2019 -- 2020 to Rs 38 crore in 2020 -- 21, when all subsidies except for patients and students were suspended due to the Covid epidemic.
The railways restored many of its pre-Covid services that were halted because of the Pandemic. However, concessions for seniors are yet to be restored.
In response to a question in Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said passenger fare is highly subsidised and the revenue generated from it is less than the national transporter's operating cost.
He informed the House that the revenue for passengers in the financial year 2019 -- 20 and 2020 -- 21 is Rs 2,059 crore and Rs 38 crore.
Over the last two decades, railway concessions have been a much-discussed topic with multiple committees recommending their withdrawal. In July 2016, the railways made concessions for the elderly optional while booking tickets.
Vaishnaw said the total revenue generated by the sale of passenger tickets during the 2019 -- 2020 period was Rs 50,669. 09 crore.
The following year, when the coronaviruses hit, passenger ticket sales were reduced to Rs 15,248. 49 crore. The amount generated by passenger fare is 15,434 in September this year. He said that he said 18 crore were in the hands of the government.
It is significant to note that trains were run as specials with marginally higher prices during 2020 -- 21. This continued through 2021 until last month when it was withdrawn.
The ministry also raised the prices of platform tickets during the crisis, which was withdrawn by the zonal railways last month.
In March 2015 the Ministry of Railways delegated power to Zonal Railways to increase the rates of platform tickets beyond Rs 10 in order to regulate rush in platforms during specific occasions like mela etc. Vaishnaw said railways exercise these powers as per their requirements.
Revenue generated by the sale of platform tickets during 2019 -- 2020 was Rs 160.87 crore, the following year it was 15.48 crore. Revenue generated by tickets was Rs 60.79 crore, the minister informed the House until September, when the price of such tickets was still higher than normal.