Road and Bridge, Railway, and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam has announced a 25% fare reduction on all types of rail services, including the metro rail, for disabled individuals, students, and citizens aged 65 or older. However, the minister stated that it will take some time to implement this discount.
Rabiul Alam provided this information on Tuesday, March 3rd, while answering questions from journalists at the Secretariat. In response to a question about how to avail this discount when purchasing tickets online, the minister said, "There will be an option online. If you show your ID card and your age is 65 plus, you will get that 25% discount. You will also have to show your ID card on board. Students will have to show their ID cards, and for disabled people, they have a card issued by the ministry."
When asked whether freedom fighters/July warriors would receive this benefit, he replied that this issue was not discussed today.
Regarding rail services for Eid, Minister Rabiul Alam said that there is no opportunity to charge passengers higher fares during Eid. "We have sat down with those who own bus owner associations and launch owner associations. They have pledged, and we are monitoring them. We will establish this at any cost. We are hoping for a comfortable Eid journey, with everyone's cooperation."
However, "One obstacle is that almost 15 million people leave Dhaka city in two days. There is no precedent for such a city exodus in the world. As a result, pressure is created. Inshallah, with the preparations that have been taken, I hope there will be a comfortable and relaxed Eid journey," added Rabiul Alam.
The Road and Transport Minister said, "We are trying our best to use 85 to 86 locomotives this Eid, if we are able to do that, I think it will be possible to maintain the schedule. Since there are additional passengers, we think we will be able to carry them as well. There will be no chance of any schedule disruption."
