As AC local services expand, commuters seek student concession passes

Representation pic/Ashish Raje

As Mumbai's suburban railway network gradually adds more AC local services, a railway commuters' body has renewed its demand for concessional AC train passes for school and college students, arguing that affordable travel should not become a casualty of modernisation.

The Kalyan-Kasara-Karjat Railway Passengers Association has urged the Mumbai suburban railway administration and the Railway Board to extend student concessions to AC locals. The issue resurfaced after two students at Kalyan station were reportedly denied concessional AC passes. mid-day had highlighted the same demand in August 2022.

What the commuters' body wants

>> Introduce concessional monthly and quarterly AC local passes for students.
>> Consider pricing the pass slightly higher than existing first-class student pass.
>> Avoid replacing non-AC services with AC locals on routes heavily used by students until such a concession is introduced.

Why the demand has resurfaced

Students can use concession forms only for first and second-class non-AC suburban services, but not AC locals. The issue came to light after two students were allegedly refused AC passes at Kalyan station. Shyam Ubale, general secretary of the Kalyan-Kasara-Karjat Railway Passengers Association and a member of the Divisional Railway Users' Consultative Committee, said railway officials confirmed that no such concession exists under the current policy.

Commuter speak

Rajesh Ghanghav, Kalyan-Kasara-Karjat Railway Passengers Association
‘As Mumbai's suburban network steadily shifts towards AC local services, denying school and college students concessional travel in these trains creates an unfair barrier to education. Students cannot be expected to pay full AC fares simply because more non-AC services are being replaced'

Student Speak

Tanisha Potdar, Borivli-Vile Parle commuter
‘AC locals are often a better option because they are usually less crowded. A concession pass would make them more affordable'

Vidhi Sureliya,
‘A concession pass will definitely help students manage their travel costs, but frequencies also need to improve'

Aahana Suman Priyank Parikh,
‘I once missed an exam because I couldn't get off at Dadar. AC trains are cleaner and usually less crowded, making them safer and more comfortable for students'

Railway's stand railway official,
‘Concessions are available in first and second class of regular suburban trains, but not in AC services. This is a policy decision, and zonal railways do not have the authority to change it'