National Desk: The Jamuna Rail Bridge is set to be fully operational from March 18. Train passengers using the 4.8-kilometer-long dedicated rail bridge will have to pay additional fares, which will increase by BDT 45 to BDT 160 depending on the seat category. The new fares will come into effect on March 19. This information was shared on Sunday (March 9) by Secretary of the Ministry of Railways, Fahimul Islam.
Typically, when a railway bridge or similar structure is used, an additional fare is charged, known in railway terms as a ‘pontage charge.’ This charge was also applicable for travel over the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge.
Explaining the reason for the fare increase on the new bridge, railway officials mentioned that the pontage charge was raised when the Padma Bridge was inaugurated. Previously, the charge multiplier was 16.8 times, which was later increased to 25 times. However, for the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge, fares were still being charged at the previous rate. With the introduction of the new rail bridge, the updated fare structure will be implemented.
Officials further explained that under the old rate, adding the pontage charge to the 4.8-kilometer bridge length resulted in a calculated distance of about 81 kilometers. According to the current rate, the distance will be 120 kilometers. Thus, the bridge’s effective length has increased by 39 kilometers, which is reflected in the fare adjustment.
For example, the current fare for a non-AC Shovon Chair seat on the Dhaka-Rajshahi intercity route is BDT 405. The new fare will be BDT 450. Similarly, the fare for the Snigdha class will increase from BDT 771 to BDT 863, the AC seat from BDT 926 to BDT 1,035, and the AC berth from BDT 1,386 to BDT 1,547. Fares for trains using the Jamuna Rail Bridge on other routes will also be adjusted accordingly.
