Dhaka: Senior citizens and passengers with disabilities will soon benefit from a 25 percent discount on train fares, as announced by the Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh Railway. This new concession will be effective from tomorrow, May 25.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the discount targets passengers aged 65 years and above, whose age will be verified automatically using National Identity Card data during online ticket purchases. The 25 percent discount is applicable only to the base fare, while other charges like service fees and VAT will remain as is. This discount can be availed through both online and counter ticket sales. To qualify, passengers must be registered on Bangladesh Railway's e-ticketing platform and the Rail Sheba app. Each senior citizen can use the discount twice a week, calculated by the travel date. If a discounted ticket is refunded, it will not count towards the weekly limit.
For senior citizens traveling with companions, the companion must pay the regular fare unless they are also a senior citizen. In such cases, one additional senior companion can receive the discount under the same booking, pending separate verification through a registered mobile number.
For persons with disabilities holding the 'Suvarna' identity card issued by the Ministry of Social Welfare, the facility will offer a 50 percent discount on Sulov/Shovon classes in intercity trains. In trains lacking these classes, a new 25 percent discount will be available for all air-conditioned classes, complementing the existing facility. Initially, this discount will only be available through station counters, with plans to introduce online ticketing later in coordination with the Ministry of Social Welfare. Companions of disabled passengers will still need to pay the regular fare.
The Ministry of Railways is also considering a 25 percent fare discount for students on short-distance commuter trains, contingent on the introduction of a unified student identity card. This initiative follows Prime Minister Tariqur Rahman's directive to implement these concession facilities within 180 days of the government's formation.