Train tickets vanish soon after online sale starts 

Bangladesh Railway has sought an explanation from Shohoz-Synesis-Vincen JV over allegations that automated software, commonly known as bots, was used to block train tickets shortly after online sales opened, with the tickets allegedly resold at higher prices through unauthorised websites.

An internal railway inquiry document raised concerns over the security of the e-ticketing system and proposed to seek an explanation from the contractor responsible for ticket sales.

According to the document, a letter signed on October 11 asked the managing director of the joint venture to explain the allegations within three working days. Shohoz, however, said it was working with Bangladesh Railway to prevent unauthorised ticket blocking and black-market sales.

The document refers to a website identified as “BookMyRail.com”, alleging that automated software was used to block large numbers of tickets as soon as sales began through the railway’s e-ticketing platform. The blocked tickets were subsequently offered to passengers at inflated prices through unauthorised websites, it said.

Such practices could deprive passengers of the opportunity to purchase tickets at official prices while raising concerns about the security and reliability of the online ticketing system, according to the document.

It also refers to security provisions in the contract signed with Shohoz-Synesis-Vincen JV, which requires the contractor to ensure the security of the e-ticketing infrastructure. The alleged use of bots has prompted questions about the effectiveness of those safeguards.

In a written statement, Shohoz Limited said it was coordinating with Bangladesh Railway to address allegations of unauthorised ticket blocking and black-market sales involving bots and other automated methods on the Integrated Ticketing System.

The company said it had maintained various technological controls to detect and prevent such activities from the outset. It added that additional detection measures had been strengthened this year and that it continued to cooperate with the relevant authorities to protect passengers' interests.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, railway director (traffic-commercial) and one of the officials who signed the internal document, said the alleged activity had already been stopped.

Complaints about tickets selling out within minutes of being released online have persisted for years. Passengers frequently allege that although tickets are unavailable on the official platform, offers to sell them at higher prices can be found through other channels. However, the extent of any connection between these shortages and the alleged use of bots remains to be independently established.

On October 7, filmmaker and playwright Ashfaq Nipun described his experience of trying to purchase tickets for two Cox's Bazar-bound trains in a Facebook post. He claimed that all tickets for both trains had disappeared within a minute of sales opening at 8am, raising questions about transparency and alleged ticket syndicates.

Earlier, on September 8, the district administration detained two members of the Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB), the railway's security force, at Sylhet Railway Station over allegations of illegally collecting and selling tickets.

On September 22, Senior Judicial Magistrate Abdullah Al Noman initiated a suo motu case in Sylhet over alleged irregularities in train ticket sales. The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was subsequently assigned to investigate the case.

The railway's final position on the alleged bot-assisted ticket blocking, Shohoz's explanation and the effectiveness of existing security measures will be important in determining what further action is required to improve transparency and reduce passenger hardship.