Dhaka: The first train, ‘Cox’s Bazar Express,’ bound for the seaport city of Cox’s Bazar from Dhaka, will commence its journey on December 1. Ticket sales for this route have already started from Thursday (November 23). On the first day of ticket availability, the first three days’ tickets are sold within the first hour.
However, there is dissatisfaction among passengers due to the higher fares for Cox’s Bazar Express compared to other intercity trains. The reason for passenger dissatisfaction is that the fare for Shovon Chair in trains on the Dhaka-Chattogram route is Tk 345. For non-stop Subarna Express and Sonar Bangla Express, the Shovon Chair fare is Tk 405.
But starting from December 1, to travel from Dhaka to Chattogram on Cox’s Bazar Express, the fare for Shovon Chair will be Tk 450. For the journey up to Cox’s Bazar on this train, the Shovon Chair fare will be Tk 695. On the other hand, for AC seating in other Antnagor trains on the Dhaka-Chattogram route, the fare is Tk 656. For non-stop trains, the AC seating fare is Tk 805. However, for Cox’s Bazar Express, the AC seating fare on the Dhaka-Chattogram route will be Tk 855. And for the journey up to Cox’s Bazar on this train, the AC seating fare will be Tk 1,325.
Rail sources have stated that train fares in the country are comparatively lower than bus fares on all routes. Due to Cox’s Bazar being a tourist city, Cox’s Bazar Express is being considered as a tourism train. Therefore, the railway has not given any discount on the fare for this train.
The commercial distance between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar is 535 kilometers. If the fare for Shovon Chair is calculated at Tk 1.17 per kilometer, the fare stands at Tk 626. However, due to Cox’s Bazar Express being non-stop and incurring an additional 10% charge and VAT, the fare increases by Tk 69, totaling Tk 695.
Railway Director General Kamrul Ahsan informed the media that a non-stop charge has been added to the fare for Cox’s Bazar Express. The rate (discount) given beyond 100 kilometers is not applicable here, which is why the fare is higher. Cox’s Bazar Express will only stop at Dhaka Airport and Chattogram stations, and nowhere else. That is why an additional 10% non-stop charge has been added to the fare, he said.
Rail sources have informed that a 15% discount is given for every 100 kilometers beyond the initial 100 kilometers in train fares. For the next 150 kilometers, a 20% discount is given, followed by 25% for the subsequent distance, and a 30% discount for further distances.
