As part of preparations for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, Bangladesh Railway has announced that advance ticket sales for train services will commence on Tuesday, 3rd March. The sale is scheduled to run until 21st March, in line with the expected date of Eid on 21st March.
In a bid to ease the travel experience for the large number of passengers during the festive season, the railway authorities have introduced a fully online ticketing system. This initiative was finalised at a recent meeting held at Railway Bhaban in Dhaka, where the complete schedule for the seven-day advance ticket sale was disclosed.
Ticket Sales Schedule and Regional Timings
In line with the new guidelines, tickets will be made available online at specific times depending on the region. For trains operating in the western part of the country, tickets will be available from 8 a.m. each day, while tickets for eastern region trains will be sold from 2 p.m. onwards.
The schedule for advance ticket sales is as follows:
| Date of Sale | Date of Journey |
|---|---|
| 3rd March | 13th March |
| 4th March | 14th March |
| 5th March | 15th March |
| 6th March | 16th March |
| 7th March | 17th March |
| 8th March | 18th March |
| 9th March | 19th March |
| 10th March onward | 20th-22nd March (subject to moon sighting) |
Tickets for the 20th, 21st, and 22nd March will be released based on the moon sighting, which determines the exact date for Eid.
Purchase Regulations and Refund Policy
To ensure fairness and prevent the resale of tickets, Bangladesh Railway has set strict purchase limits. Each passenger will be allowed to buy a maximum of one ticket per National ID, with a limit of four seats per transaction.
Importantly, once tickets are issued, no refunds will be allowed under any circumstances. This decision aims to curb the illegal practice of ticket scalping, ensuring that the tickets are only used by the intended passengers.
For those who are unable to secure a ticket online, Bangladesh Railway has introduced a special provision for “standing tickets”. These tickets, available for non-AC coaches, will allow passengers to travel without an assigned seat. To ensure adequate provision, 25% of the seats in non-AC coaches will be designated as standing tickets.
Combatting Black Market and Ensuring Smooth Travel
The move to offer 100% online ticket sales is a significant step in combatting black market ticket sales. Bangladesh Railway is keen to ensure that passengers receive a fair chance to purchase tickets and that no illegal resale activities take place. The railway authorities have assured the public that the entire online ticketing process will be closely monitored and that necessary technical support has been arranged to maintain smooth operations.
Additionally, Bangladesh Railway has made extensive arrangements for crowd management at major stations to handle the large influx of passengers during this period. All steps have been taken to ensure that trains depart on time, and passengers have a safe and comfortable travel experience.