Ticket scalpers won’t be spared, says Railway

In a bid to check ticket-scalping, Bangladesh Railway is going to strengthen enforcement of relevant laws that include three-month jail term. 

Railways ministry yesterday issued a circular in this regard.

The circular says ticket, return ticket and periodic ticket for train journey is not transferable and only the passenger, for whom the ticket would be issued, would be allowed to travel up to the place mentioned in the ticket.

"If any person hand over or sell their ticket, return ticket or periodic ticket to other person would face up to three-month jail or fine or both. Similarly, if anyone use other's ticket, they have to pay fine, which would be the same amount of the actual fare," reads the circular.

"So, Bangladesh Railway is requesting its passengers to buy tickets through online or mobile app on their own and refrain from journey with the tickets bought by others," it added.

The circular did not mention when the authorities are going to enforce the law strictly or whether all trains would be brought under measures.

Railways Director General Md Shamsuzzaman said for now they are going to enforce their strict measures only in intercity trains.

BR made national identity card mandatory for buying tickets for some intercity trains from March last year to check ticket-scalping.

Currently, railway authorities are selling all its train tickets online to maintain health guideline.

Asked whether anyone can buy ticket for their relative, a railway ministry official said, "They have to use their relative's NID and mobile number to buy ticket and they would be able to buy highest four tickets with an NID and cellphone number."

But, the NID and cellphone holder must travel; otherwise, none would be allowed to board with other three tickets, said the official.

"I know many, especially rural people, will face some problems in buying ticket. The ministry and railway are working to make the process easier but it would take some times," he said.

Bangladesh Railway resumed its operations on a limited scale from May 31 after suspension of service for more than two months to contain spread of Covid-19. The authorities would resume operations of all intercity trains within August 30 but continued to operate with 50 percent passengers of its capacity.

Md Samsuzzaman said they made NID cards mandatory for some intercity trains last year but now they are going to make it mandatory for all intercity trains.

He said it's not possible to make the system for local and mail service because tickets of those trains are not sold online. "However, we have already started bidding process to bring those trains under online service…"

Replying to another question that many people without internet service may face problem to buy ticket, he said, "They have to take help from others. The same system is in Europe and other developed countries."