The Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh Railway have decided to offer a 25 percent discount on train fares for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The concession will come into effect from tomorrow (May 25), according to the Ministry of Railways.
Under the new facility, passengers aged 65 years or above will be eligible for the discount.
Their age will be verified automatically through National Identity Card data during online ticket purchase.The 25 percent discount will apply only to the base fare.
Other charges, including service charges and VAT, will remain unchanged. The facility will be available through both online and counter ticket sales.
To avail of the benefit, passengers must be registered on Bangladesh Railway’s e-ticketing platform and the Rail Sheba app.
A senior citizen will be able to use the discount a maximum of twice a week, calculated based on the date of travel. If a discounted ticket is refunded, it will not be counted in the weekly limit.
If a senior citizen travels with a companion, the companion will have to pay the regular fare unless the companion is also a senior citizen.
In that case, one additional senior companion will be eligible for the discount under the same booking, subject to separate verification through a registered mobile number.
For persons with disabilities, the facility will apply to holders of the ‘Suvarna’ identity card issued under the Ministry of Social Welfare.
In intercity trains, disabled passengers will receive a 50 percent discount on Sulov/Shovon classes. In trains without such classes, a new 25 percent discount will be offered on all air-conditioned classes in addition to the existing facility.
Other charges, including service charges and VAT, will remain applicable at the current rates.
Initially, persons with disabilities will be able to avail of the discount only through station counters.
Bangladesh Railway said online ticketing for them would be introduced later in coordination with the Ministry of Social Welfare.
Companions of passengers with disabilities will have to pay the regular fare.
The ministry also said the issue of providing a 25 percent fare discount for students on short-distance commuter trains would be considered after the introduction of a unified student identity card.
Following the government's formation, Prime Minister Tariqur Rahman instructed the Ministry of Railways to implement the concession facilities within 180 days.