goes digital as online ticketing booms

For millions of Bangladeshis, returning home for Eid is more than a journey, it is a ritual of reunion, nostalgia and celebration. 
Yet for years, securing a ticket was anything but festive. Long queues at counters, uncertainty over seat availability and the pressure of last-minute planning were all part of the season.
Today, that picture is steadily changing.
Online ticketing has grown rapidly across Bangladesh. What was once only a small fraction of total sales now accounts for more than 20% of bus ticket purchases, according to industry estimates.
Projections suggest that by 2026, nearly three-quarters of inter-district travel tickets could be sold online. Mobile financial services and bank cards now dominate digital purchases, reflecting a broader shift in how Bangladeshis manage everyday transactions.
A range of online platforms has emerged to meet this demand. Shohoz, one of the country’s longest-established ticketing services, sells millions of tickets across bus, train, launch and flight routes and works with hundreds of operators nationwide.
Other platforms such as Jatri, BUSBD and Paribahan.com also allow travellers to book bus and launch tickets online, offering multiple options for journey planning and purchase.
As digital habits deepen, the Eid travel rush has begun to look different. During recent peak seasons, bus counters in parts of Dhaka have reported lighter crowds as advance bookings move online. For many passengers, the smartphone has replaced the queue.
Within this evolving landscape, bdtickets -- powered by Robi Axiata PLC -- has emerged as a major platform for intercity travellers. 
During previous Eid seasons alone, the platform sold around 20 lakh bus tickets, underscoring the scale of demand shifting to digital channels.
Built around a simple “search, select and pay” process, the platform allows users to book bus and launch tickets, explore routes, compare operators and confirm seats within minutes.
For major routes such as Dhaka–Chattogram, Dhaka–Sylhet and Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar, passengers can now secure tickets without visiting a physical counter.

The platform currently covers nearly 99% of the country’s most popular long-distance routes, giving travellers broad access across the network.
The convenience becomes especially meaningful during Eid, when travel demand surges in the days leading up to the holiday. Digital systems often experience millions of visits within short windows of ticket release, making early planning and booking increasingly important.
For homebound families, the benefits extend beyond efficiency. Booking online allows travellers to sit together, choose departure times carefully and avoid the stress that once accompanied the season. The process itself becomes part of the preparation, a quiet step toward reunion.
As Bangladesh’s transport ecosystem continues to digitise, online ticketing reflects a broader transformation in how people move across the country. And when the journey home feels certain, the celebration can begin a little earlier.  

The writer can be reached at:  [email protected]