Sale of advance bus tickets for the home goers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha began from Friday morning. Simultaneously, ticket selling started at Kallaynpur, Shaymoli, Gabtoli, Asadgate and other bus stands in the capital. The sales began from 6:00am as per the decision taken at a meeting of Bangladesh Bus Truck Owners’ Association on July 16. Ignoring rain, ticket seekers of all ages stand in a long queue to get their tickets. However, most of them alleged that tickets for August 10 have already sold out, despite ticket selling have just started. To ensure a hassle-free journey for the holidaymakers, the government has fixed prices of tickets on different routes considering bad weather. Visiting different ticket counters in the capital, this correspondent found some positive sides of advance ticket selling. A Shaymoli Paribahan bus counter manager said they have adequate tickets for homebound passengers. Based on the regions, they are selling tickets from different counters. Advance tickets will also be available through the online platform. This will lessen passengers’ hassle in getting their desired route tickets, he added. Bangladesh Bus Truck Owners Association’s Chairman Ramesh Chandra Ghos informed media that, as the possible date for eid is assumed on August 11/12, they decided to sell tickets from July 26. As per the government scheduled route fare, bus owners were asked to sell the tickets and also hang the fare chart at every counter, if any allegation is there from the passenger, the association will take strict action, he further added. Every year, tens of thousands of people leave the capital Dhaka to celebrate Eid with near and dear ones at their village homes. But their journey turns bitter largely due to traffic congestions, overcharging of tickets and delays in bus and train schedules.
