The Russian government has announced significant changes to train travel for children, introducing a year-round discount policy aimed at making train fares more affordable for families. The initiative offers a generous 50% discount on the adult fare for children aged 10 to 18 years traveling on reserved and general long-distance train cars, excluding high-speed trains. Previously, this discount only applied during the school year from September to May, making the extension to all year particularly noteworthy.
Elvira, a concerned reader who reached out to IZHLIFE, was curious whether children would still need to present school certificates to benefit from these discounts. The response from officials was clear: school certificates are no longer required to qualify. Instead, children can now present only their birth certificate or, for those aged over 14, their passport when boarding. This simplifies the process significantly, helping families avoid unnecessary paperwork.
“To receive the benefit, no school certificate is required anymore. All children from 10 to 18 years can now use the benefit regardless of the form of education,” stated officials from Russian Railways (RŽD), highlighting how the policy aims to benefit all minors within this age group.
Further details reveal the discount applies to all children who are citizens of the Russian Federation. The transportation decree supports families who send their children across the country for education, family visits, or leisure. Volgograd schoolchildren have expressed relief at this new system. With official confirmation stating, “When boarding, only the birth certificate or passport is necessary for children over 14,” parents find the travel process less burdensome.
The motivations behind the government's decision to introduce such benefits stem from the need to provide accessible transportation options for families and to encourage train travel as a preferred means of transportation. The year-round application of these discounts offers parents greater flexibility and may promote increased rail usage across the country by families eager to take advantage of less expensive travel options.
Traveling by train has long been favored among families for its comfort and relatively lower cost compared to other means of transportation. With this new discount policy now firmly established, families will likely feel encouraged to utilize trains for longer journeys without worrying about prohibitive travel costs. Reports indicate the change will not only ease the financial burden but also facilitate educational opportunities, culture exchange, and family connections across distances.
For families dealing with multiple education schedules or different forms of schooling, the removal of the requirement for school attendance certificates is particularly timely. Many parents have expressed frustration with the administrative difficulties encountered when arranging travel during peak seasons or holidays. By streamlining this requirement, the government is likely to see a favorable response not only from parents but also from the general public, who often utilize rail services during travel seasons.
This initiative also reflects broader governmental aims by enhancing social support for families. It recognizes the increasing need for affordable travel options, especially as the cost of living continues to rise and inflation affects everyday expenses. The implementation of such policies speaks volumes about the government's commitment to making logistics and transportation easier for families across all regions of Russia.
Overall, the Russian government's new year-round discount for children's train travel is likely to have multiple beneficial effects. With fewer barriers to travel documentation and affordability, families can look forward to opportunities for sightseeing, education, and family time without overwhelming costs and complicated paperwork. It stands as both a practical solution and a genuine investment in the future of young train travelers across Russia.