The train fare is increasing at a distance of more than 100 km

The concession facility, which Bangladesh Railways introduced three decades ago to attract passengers by train, will end on May 4.

As a result, passengers will have to pay higher fares for journeys of more than 100 kilometers from that day.

According to a circular of Bangladesh Railways on Monday, since 1992, distance-based and section-based concession facilities have been provided in Bangladesh Railways. In 2012, ‘Sectional Rebate’ was abolished but distance based Rebate continued.

Recently, Bangladesh Railways has decided to withdraw the distance-based concession without increasing fares on passenger trains. The notification informed that this decision will be implemented from May 4.

Railway officials say that passengers get discount on long-distance trains due to the concession system. There is no discount within 100 km in this system. However, the concession rate on fares for journeys between 101 and 250 km is 20 percent.

And for 251 to 400 km, the concession rate is 25 percent and for 401 km, 30 percent discount is given.

Railway Minister Jillul Hakim recently told bdnews24.com about the withdrawal of the concessional facility, “When the concessional facility was given, there were no passengers on the train. Passengers were then attracted by concessions. Now passengers get on the train, enough passengers get on the train.

“Again we are now running at a loss. So there is no need to keep the concessional facility at this moment.”

In October 2012, the railways increased the fare from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 110 percent. In February 2016, the railway fare was increased again. At that time the railway fare was increased by 7 to 9 percent.