How Bangladesh Railway got Eid travel right this time
Compared to previous years, Bangladesh Railway implemented several new and more effective measures that made a difference. But can these improvements be sustained?
For seven years, Akram Hossain has been making the same journey back to his ancestral home in Nilphamari with his family to celebrate Eid. His preferred mode of transport during the holidays has always been the train.
And, every year, his Eid journey is riddled with stress and hassle. Akram, who works at a private company in the capital, would have to endure the chaos of peak season travel, from booking tickets to squeezing into overcrowded compartments and long delays.
But this year was different.
Akram and his family described it as their "smoothest Eid journey yet."
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"Every other time, travelling home and returning to Dhaka felt like a battle. The struggle began from the moment you tried to book tickets and continued until you arrived back in the city after Eid. But this time, everything was far more coordinated. We didn't face any of that," Akram shared.
Thousands of passengers chose to travel by train during this Eid holiday, and the Bangladesh Railway has to bear the pressure. In previous years, passengers have frequently been victims of a host of issues: black-market ticket sales, trains not departing on time, and dangerously overcrowded coaches carrying far beyond their intended capacity.
By comparison, the railway authority managed to turn the tide this Eid.
What went right?
Some major infrastructural developments in the railway sector—most notably the inauguration of the Padma and Jamuna rail bridges, the introduction of new routes, and the sincere, tireless efforts of railway officials and staff—collectively contributed to the improved experience.
Most notably, timely train departures significantly reduced the chaos typically associated with Eid travel.
Speaking to The Business Standard, Fuad Hossain, Divisional Transportation Officer, Dhaka noted, "This year, 94% of our trains departed on time. Railway operations require complete teamwork. We tried to apply experience-based insights from previous years to ensure timely logistics and operational efficiency."
Bangladesh Railway operates through several functional divisions, each playing a critical role in the overall system.
"This year, 94% of our trains departed on time. Railway operations require complete teamwork. We tried to apply experience-based insights from previous years to ensure timely logistics and operational efficiency."
According to the railway high official Hossain, "Departments including transportation, commercial, engineering, mechanical, signalling, electrical, and security forces—all worked in a synchronised manner. The zonal headquarters, the Railway Bhaban, and the Ministry of Railways maintained round-the-clock monitoring, guidance, and support.
This level of interdepartmental coordination made a significant difference."
This Eid also saw stricter enforcement regarding ticket checking and unauthorised passengers. Railway police were visibly more active, and passengers noted that there was more seriousness from the management regarding on-board discipline.
Another factor worth noting is that the Eid holidays this year lasted longer than usual. Government and private employees enjoyed a nine-day break, allowing them to spread out their departures from and returns to Dhaka, which, in turn, reduced the typical congestion.
Tackling the usual problems
One of the most persistent and frustrating issues surrounding Eid travel by train has been ticket scalping. Black-market ticket sales are a significant problem, and they tend to worsen drastically during Eid.
But this year, most of the tickets were sold online, making it nearly impossible to purchase a ticket without using one's own National ID (NID) and minimising the scope for bulk buying and illegal reselling.
"This Eid's ticketing system was managed almost entirely online, proving that it is indeed feasible to operate this system year-round. If ticket counters can be reduced and the staff re-deployed as ticket checkers (TCs) or travelling ticket examiners (TTEs), it would greatly enhance onboard passenger identification and minimise the scope for ticket scalping," said Mamun, another Eid traveller who journeyed to Rajshahi from the capital.
However, some passengers pointed out that simply selling tickets online isn't enough. In practice, the system still has loopholes.
"There was no visible NID (National ID) verification system in place on Eid trains. It is important to note that each online ticket clearly states that passengers must carry a copy of their NID during travel," said Asique, another Eid traveller who journeyed to Jessore from the capital.
"But in practice, even during regular periods, NID checks are rare due to a shortage of TTEs—so expecting such checks during the Eid rush is hardly realistic," he added.
Therefore, claiming that ticket scalping didn't happen simply because trains ran smoothly is misleading. Unless and until NID verification becomes mandatory on board, it is premature to suggest that black market ticket sales have been fully eliminated.
Another lingering issue is the presence of standing or ticketless passengers. In extreme cases, people have even risked their lives by travelling on the rooftops of carriages. This wasn't entirely eliminated this year, with some reports of passengers climbing onto train roofs just before departure.
Looking ahead
Passengers sounded hopeful that the lessons from this Eid will pave the way for more consistent, year-round improvements in service delivery.
"Hats off to Bangladesh Railway for implementing such impactful improvements in passenger service," traveler Akram shared.
Compared to previous years, Bangladesh Railway clearly implemented several new and more effective measures that made a difference. But can these improvements be sustained?
When asked whether the railway can continue to maintain this level of management in the future, Fuad Hossain seemed confident.
He said, "Bangladesh Railway always aims to deliver effective service. Sometimes, even with maximum effort, it's not possible to achieve optimal outcomes due to real-world limitations such as manpower shortages or a lack of engines.
But like in the past and present, we will continue striving for better service in the future."
