Railway offers 25pc discount for elderly, disabled passengers

The Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh Railway have decided to offer a 25 per cent discount on train fares for elderly and physically disabled passengers. The facility will come into effect from Monday, May 25.

According to a notification, elderly passengers must be aged 65 years or above. Age will be automatically verified from the national ID card when booking tickets online. The discount will apply only to the base fare; service charges, VAT and other fees will remain unchanged.

The discount will be available both online and at counters. Passengers must be registered on the 'Railseba' app, the Bangladesh Railway e-ticketing platform. An elderly passenger can avail the discount twice a week.

If an elderly passenger books tickets with a companion, the companion will be charged the regular fare. However, if the companion is also elderly, a maximum of one additional elderly companion per booking may receive the discount, provided they are verified with their own registered mobile number.

For disabled passengers, those with 'Subarna' ID cards under the Ministry of Social Welfare will be eligible. The existing 50 per cent discount on non-AC classes for inter-city trains will remain. Additionally, a new 25 per cent discount will be given on all air-conditioned classes. Disabled passengers can currently avail this discount only at station counters, with an online facility to be introduced in the future.

The ministry also said a 25 per cent discount for students on short-distance commuter trains will be considered after the introduction of unified ID cards.