The first train ‘Cox’s Bazar Express’ from Dhaka to the sea city Cox’s Bazar will run from December 1. In the meantime, ticket sales have started from Thursday (November 23). The tickets for the first three days were sold out within 1 hour of the first day of ticket launch.
But because the fare of Cox’s Bazar Express is higher than other intercity trains, many people are expressing anger on social media. The reason for the anger of the passengers is that the fare for the chair on the Dhaka-Chittagong route is Tk 345. The non-stop Suvarna Express and Sonar Bangla Express fare is Tk 405 for Sobhan chairs.
But the Cox’s Bazar Express, which will be launched from December 1, will cost Tk 450 to go from Dhaka to Chittagong in a chair. And until Cox’s Bazar, the fare on the chair is Tk 695.
On the other hand, the fare of Dhaka-Chittagong Snigdha (AC) is Tk 656 in the general intercity train. The non-stop train fare is Tk 805 to Snigdha. But Cox’s Bazar Express Dhaka-Chittagong Snigdha (AC) fare is Tk 855. And till Cox’s Bazar, the train fare is Tk 1 thousand 325.
According to railway sources, train fares are comparatively less than buses on all routes of the country. And since Cox’s Bazar is a tourist city, Cox’s Bazar Express has been considered as a tourist train. For this reason, the railway did not give the discount given to trains with a distance of more than 100 km in the case of Cox’s Bazar Express.
Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar commercial distance is 535 km. If the chair is 1 taka 17 paisa per kilometer in the train, the fare is 626 taka. And since the Cox’s Bazar Express is non-stop, 10 percent additional charge and VAT have been added, adding 69 taka to the total fare of 695 taka.
15,000 crore investment spent on construction of 101 km railway line from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar has not been given concession in fares to increase railway revenue.
In this regard, the Director General of Railways Kamrul Ahsan told the media that non-stop charges have been added to the fare of Cox’s Bazar Express. After 100 km, there is no concession. That is why the rent is high.
Cox’s Bazar Express will stop at Dhaka Airport and Chittagong Station only. Will not stop anywhere. For this reason, 10 percent non-stop charge has been added to the rent, he said.
According to railway sources, 20 percent discount is given on the train fare for the next 150 km after 100 km. 25 percent for next 150 km and 30 percent for further distance.
News Source : Bangladesh Pratidin
