The Ultimate Guide to MRT Pass & Rapid Pass in Dhaka
Published on August 15, 20265 min readtransit-guides
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As Dhaka embraces modern public transport, standing in line for a Single Journey Ticket at every metro station is quickly becoming a thing of the past. The MRT Pass and Rapid Pass are your keys to seamless, cashless travel across the city.
Not only do these cards save you the hassle of waiting in queues, but they also offer a 10% discount on every Metro Rail journey. This guide will walk you through the differences between the two cards, how to get one, and how to top it up effortlessly.
1. MRT Pass vs. Rapid Pass: What's the Difference?
While both cards look different, they essentially serve the same primary purpose: paying for public transport in Dhaka.
- MRT Pass: Issued by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). It is primarily designed for the Dhaka Metro Rail but can also be used on BRTC buses that are part of the clearing house network.
- Rapid Pass: Issued by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) in partnership with DBBL. It is envisioned as a universal transport card for all future metro lines, BRT lines, Bangladesh Railway, and BIWTC water buses.
Which one should you get? Right now, both work flawlessly on the MRT Line-6 and BRTC shuttle buses. The Rapid Pass has a slightly wider future scope, but the MRT Pass is often easier to acquire directly at metro stations.
2. How and Where to Get Your Pass
Getting an MRT Pass
- Registration Form: You must fill out the official MRT Pass registration form. You can download it from the DMTCL website, fill it out at home, and bring it with you, or you can get a physical form at any operating metro station.
- Required Documents: You need to provide a photocopy of your NID (National Identity Card) or Passport. If you are a student without an NID, a Birth Certificate photocopy is usually accepted along with your student ID.
- Cost: The card costs BDT 500. This includes a BDT 200 deposit for the card itself and BDT 300 of usable balance.
- Where to buy: Go to the Ticket Office Machine (TOM) counter at any active Metro Rail station between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
Getting a Rapid Pass
Rapid Passes can be purchased at specific DBBL (Dutch-Bangla Bank) branches or designated Rapid Pass booths at major transit hubs (like Motijheel or Uttara). The cost and required documents are identical to the MRT Pass (BDT 400 total in some older promotions, but generally standardized to BDT 500 initial payment with a 200 deposit).
3. How to Top Up (Recharge) Your Card
Running out of balance during rush hour is a nightmare. Fortunately, topping up is easy.
Option A: Ticket Vending Machines (TVM)
Every metro station has automated touch-screen TVMs.
- Place your card on the designated reader.
- Select "Top Up".
- Insert cash (the machines accept fresh 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 Taka notes).
- Wait for the transaction to complete before removing your card.
Option B: Mobile Banking (DBBL NexusPay / bKash)
The Rapid Pass (and newer registered MRT Passes) can be recharged directly from your smartphone using the DBBL NexusPay app.
- Add your Rapid Pass number to the app.
- Transfer funds from your DBBL account or linked cards.
- Note: For the balance to actually update on the physical card, you must tap it at a specific DBBL kiosk or station validation terminal after an online recharge.
(DMTCL is continuously working on integrating bKash and Nagad direct top-ups, so keep an eye out for updates at the stations).
4. Lost Card & Refund Policy
Since these cards are registered to your NID, your money is safe even if you lose the physical card.
- If you lose your card: Go to the Customer Service booth at any metro station. Provide your NID and the phone number used during registration. They will block the lost card. You will need to pay BDT 200 for a replacement card, but your previous balance will be transferred to the new one.
- If your card is damaged: If the card stops working but has no visible physical damage (like a crack or deep scratch), DMTCL will replace it for free. If it is physically broken, you must pay the BDT 200 replacement fee.
- Returning the card: If you are leaving Dhaka or no longer need the card, you can surrender it at a counter. You will receive your remaining balance plus the BDT 200 deposit back (provided the card is not damaged).
5. Pro-Tips for Using the Pass
- The 10% Discount: Every time you tap out using an MRT/Rapid Pass on the Metro Rail, a 10% discount is automatically applied to your fare.
- Minimum Balance: You must have a minimum balance to enter the station. It is highly recommended to keep at least BDT 100 on the card at all times.
- Tap In, Tap Out: Always remember to tap your card on the reader when entering the gates AND when exiting. If you tailgate someone and fail to tap out, your card will be blocked, and you will have to pay a penalty at the customer service desk to unlock it.