Eid Train Ticket Sales to Begin March 3rd

In preparation for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, Bangladesh Railway has announced that advance ticket sales for train journeys will commence from Tuesday, 3rd March. The special sales initiative is set to run until 21st March, with the expectation that Eid will fall on 21st March.

The railway authorities have taken several steps to mitigate travel difficulties for passengers during this peak season, including a move to make all tickets available online. This decision was finalised in a recent preparatory meeting held at the Railway Bhaban in Dhaka. During the meeting, the detailed schedule for the seven-day advance ticket sale for intercity trains was outlined.

Ticket Sales Schedule and Availability

According to the new guidelines, train tickets will be sold online according to a specific timetable to cater to different regions. For trains operating in the western part of Bangladesh, tickets will be available online from 8 a.m. each day, while tickets for trains operating in the eastern region will be released from 2 p.m.

Here is the detailed advance ticket sales schedule:

In addition, the tickets for the dates 20th, 21st, and 22nd March will be available after the sighting of the moon, which determines the official date of Eid.

Ticket Purchase Regulations and Refund Policy

Each passenger will be allowed to purchase only one ticket per National ID, and the maximum number of seats that can be bought in one transaction is four. A critical note from the authorities is that tickets once issued will not be refundable under any circumstances, a policy aimed at curbing the issue of ticket scalping and fraudulent reselling.

For those unable to secure tickets online, the Bangladesh Railway has made arrangements to issue “standing tickets” or non-AC coach tickets at the station. A special provision will allow for 25% of the seats in non-AC coaches to be made available as standing tickets.

Measures to Combat Ticket Black Market

The introduction of 100% online ticket sales is seen as a major step in improving passenger service and tackling the illegal practice of black market ticket sales. Bangladesh Railway has emphasised its commitment to ensuring that each train departs on time and that passengers enjoy a safe and hassle-free journey. In addition, technical support has been prioritised to ensure smooth functioning of the online ticketing system, with no server downtime anticipated during the sales period.

Railway officials have also stated that extensive preparations have been made for crowd management at major stations, ensuring that all necessary measures are in place for the large number of passengers expected for the Eid festivities.

In conclusion, with these measures in place, the authorities are hopeful that the Eid travel experience will be significantly improved, ensuring a smooth and timely journey for all passengers.