Senior citizens, persons with disabilities to get 25% fare discount on trains, metro rail from tomorrow
Regular fares will apply to accompanying persons travelling with disabled passengers.
The Bangladesh Railway and Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited have announced a 25% discount on train and metro rail tickets for senior citizens and physically challenged passengers, effective from tomorrow (25 May).
Under the new arrangement, citizens aged 65 years and above will be eligible for the concession, which will be automatically verified through National Identity Card (NID) data during online rail ticket purchase.
The discount will apply only to the base fare, while service charges and VAT will remain unchanged.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The concession will be available through both online and station counter ticketing systems. Passengers must be registered on Bangladesh Railway's e-ticketing platform, including the Rail Sheba app.
On Dhaka metro rail, senior citizens aged 65 and above will get a 25% discount on single journey tickets by showing their NID. In addition, persons with disabilities can also avail a 25% discount on single journey tickets by showing their 'Subarna' identity card issued under the Ministry of Social Welfare.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam will formally inaugurate the initiative at the capital's Farmgate Metro Station at 12:30pm tomorrow.
Railway authorities have set a weekly limit for senior citizens, allowing the discounted fare to be used a maximum of two times per week based on journey dates. If a ticket booked with a discount is refunded, it will not be counted in the weekly usage limit, and eligibility will be restored within the same week.
For persons with disabilities, holders of the 'Subarna' identity card issued under the Ministry of Social Welfare will continue to receive a 50% discount on total fares in Sulov or Shovon class of inter-city trains, or Shovon Chair class where applicable. In addition, a new 25% discount will also be introduced for all air-conditioned classes.
At present, the concession for disabled passengers will be available only through station counter ticketing. The authorities said coordination with the Ministry of Social Welfare will be strengthened in future to enable online ticketing facilities for eligible passengers.
However, regular fares will apply to accompanying persons travelling with disabled passengers.
