‘Automatic allotment of lower berths to senior citizens, 45-plus women, if available’

Allotment of lower berths to senior citizens and female passengers of 45 years and above is automatically done, even if no choice is given by passengers, subject to availability, Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Friday.

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Highlighting some of the facilities extended to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, Vaishnaw said that earmarking of a combined quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in sleeper class, four to five lower berths per coach each in air-conditioned 3 tier (3AC) and three to four lower berths per coach in air conditioned 2 tier (2AC) classes (depending on the number of coaches of that class in the train) is done for senior citizens, female passengers aged 45 and above and pregnant women.