Advance bus ticket sales start ahead of Eid

Bus company counters in the capital on Monday witnessed a huge rush of buyers of advance tickets for home bound journeys for Eid celebrations.
On the first day, many people had to return after waiting in long queues without getting the tickets they sought.
Only a few were luckier to get the tickets to meet their schedules.
As only two advance tickets were given per person on the queues, those needing more tickets had to return empty handed.
Home goers complained that the bus companies charged extra fares taking full advantage of transport shortage.
The home bound journeys for the Eid celebrations are expected to begin on July 1, a Friday.
By skipping office on July 4, many people are eyeing to avail a nine-day vacation until July 9.
Bus tickets for July 1 and July 4 would cost more as both the days would see a huge rush for home, said transport company officials.
Following a decision of the Bangladesh Bus Truck Owners Association transport companies began selling advance tickets for home bound journeys on June 27.
The rush for home would continue until the day before the Eid.
Many people booked tickets for June 29 and June 30.
The three-day Eid vacation begins on July 5.
Gabtoli and Kalyanpur bus terminals witnessed huge rush of buyers for the advance bus tickets for the southern and the northern districts.
Home goers also rushed to bus company counters at Panthapath, Asad Gate and Shyamoli for booking advance tickets.
Ticket counters of Shyamoli Paribahan, Hanif Paribahan, Shohagh Paribahan, AK Travels and TR Travels drew many buyers on the very first day.
Home goers were seen standing in long queues since Monday morning at the Gabtoli inter district bus terminal.
College student Rabiul said that after standing in a long queue at Gabtoli for two hours and a half since 5.30AM, he got only two tickets of Shyamoli Paribahan for Dinajpur, though four tickets were needed for his family members.
The tickets for the nights of June 29 and June 30 and July 4 were sold out quickly.
Home goer Abdel Rahman said he had to pay extra fare of Tk 200 for his journey to Rajshahi scheduled for July 4.
BBTOA leader and Shyamoli paribahan’s managing director Ramesh Chandra Ghosh told New Age that advance ticket selling began for greater Barisal, Khulna and the northern districts.
He said that countermen were under instruction not to sell more than two tickets per person to prevent black marketing.
Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association leader Samdani Khandaker said that usually no advance tickets were sold at Mohakhali and Saidabad bus terminals from which buses leave for Chittagong, Sylhet and greater Mymensingh.
The Bangladesh Railway announced it would start selling advance tickets on Wednesday.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net