Train fares raised for 6 major routes

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh Railway has introduced additional charges on train tickets for six major routes, resulting in fare increases of up to Tk 226. The revised fares came into effect on Saturday, December 20.

Railway authorities clarified that the increase has not been applied to base ticket prices. Instead, the additional cost has been imposed as a “pontage charge,” which is intended to cover the maintenance and upkeep of railway bridges along key corridors. The routes affected by the new charge include Dhaka-Chattogram, Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka-Sylhet, Chattogram-Sylhet, Chattogram-Jamalpur, and Dhaka-Dewanganj.

Officials said a total of 11 bridges on these routes have been brought under the pontage system, with charges varying depending on distance and seat category. On the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route, the fare for Snigdha class seats has increased from Tk 1,322 to Tk 1,449, while AC berth tickets now cost Tk 2,656, up from the previous Tk 2,430. Similarly, passengers traveling on the Dhaka-Chattogram route are now paying Tk 943 for Snigdha class seats on the Subarna Express, compared to Tk 855 earlier.

Bangladesh Railway officials argue that the measure is necessary to ensure safe and sustainable railway operations, particularly for maintaining critical bridge infrastructure.

However, consumer rights organizations have expressed concern over the move, warning that repeated indirect fare hikes are making train travel less affordable. They say low-income passengers, who rely heavily on rail services as a cost-effective mode of transport, are being disproportionately affected.