Train fares rise via bridge charge

Bangladesh Railway (BR) has increased train fares by up to Tk 226 on six key routes, including Dhaka-Cox's Bazar, with the revised rates taking effect on Saturday.
A senior BR official said the hike has been imposed in the form of a pontage charge to cover the maintenance costs of railway bridges, rather than through a direct increase in base ticket prices.
The affected routes are Dhaka-Chattogram, Dhaka-Cox's Bazar, Dhaka-Sylhet, Chattogram-Sylhet, Chattogram-Jamalpur and Dhaka-Dewanganj.
A total of 11 bridges on these routes have been brought under the pontage charge, with the additional cost varying by route and seat class.
On the Dhaka-Cox's Bazar route, fares for Snigdha class seats have increased to Tk 1,449 from Tk 1,322, while AC berth tickets now cost Tk 2,656, up from Tk 2,430.
On the Dhaka-Chattogram route, Snigdha class fares on the Subarna Express have risen to Tk 943 from Tk 855.
Meanwhile, consumer rights groups have expressed concern over the move, arguing that repeated indirect fare increases are placing additional financial pressure on low-income passengers who rely on train services as an affordable mode of transport.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com