Proposal to grant six categories of passengers free or discounted train tickets.
The Ministry of Transport has proposed six categories of people who will be exempt from or receive discounted train fares, as outlined in the draft Decree detailing and guiding the implementation of certain articles of the Railway Law.
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According to the draft, six groups are eligible for free or discounted train tickets: 1- People who participated in revolutionary activities before the General Uprising of August 19, 1945; 2- Heroic Vietnamese Mothers; 3- War invalids and those receiving benefits similar to war invalids; 4- People who participated in the resistance war and were exposed to chemical toxins; 5- People with severe and profound disabilities; 6- Elderly people.
The draft clearly states that ticket price reductions apply to the following groups: A 90% discount applies to those who participated in revolutionary activities before the General Uprising of August 19, 1945; and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers. A 30% discount applies to war invalids, those receiving benefits similar to war invalids; and victims of chemical warfare. Discounts for severely disabled individuals; those with moderate disabilities; and the elderly will be implemented according to the laws on disabled persons and the elderly.
According to the draft, the fare reduction as stipulated above will be applied based on the actual selling price of the seat type and train type used by the target group.
The exemption or reduction of fares for the six aforementioned groups when traveling on international passenger trains is implemented in accordance with the provisions of international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory.
The draft clearly states that, based on specific conditions and timeframes, railway transport businesses may expand the scope of those eligible for free or discounted fares to include children of all ages, extend discounted fares to other eligible groups, and regulate the level of fare reductions for social policy beneficiaries to suit the business's conditions.
In cases where individuals eligible for social welfare benefits are entitled to two or more discounted train fares, they are only entitled to the highest discount. Those eligible for free or discounted train fares must present proof of eligibility along with their identification documents when purchasing tickets and when boarding the train.
The exemption or reduction of fares for the six aforementioned social policy beneficiaries when traveling on urban railways is specifically regulated by the People's Committee of the province that operates the urban railway.
