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Bus fare goes up by 27 pc


Published : 07 Nov 2021 11:18 PM | Updated : 08 Nov 2021 12:33 PM

In the wake of rising fuel prices, bus fares have been hiked as demanded by transport owners. Against the 23 percent fuel price increase, bus fare is hiked by 27 percent.

According to the rescheduled fare, from now on, passengers will have to pay a minimum of Tk 8 for a bus ride in the metropolis and Tk 10 for a minibus, and for long-distance public transport it has been finalized by Tk 1.80 per kilometre.

On the other hand, CNG-powered buses will not be included in the new fare list. CNG-powered buses will run at previous fares.

The rescheduled fare will be effective from today (Monday).

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Nur Mohammad Majumder came up with these comments while speaking to journalists after a meeting with the leaders of the Transport Owners Association held at BRTA Bhaban in the capital on Sunday.

Representatives of transport owners who attended the meeting said transport costs have risen due to rising fuel prices. Owners will face many problems if the fare is not fixed anew. At the meeting, they demanded either rescheduling the fare or reducing the fuel price.

The Ministry of Energy on Wednesday night increased the price of diesel and kerosene by Tk 15 per litre to Tk 80. The rate of increase in diesel from Tk 65 to Tk 80 per litre stood at 23.08 percent.

The previous fare for long-distance public transport (in 2013) was Tk 1.42 per kilometer. At present, it has been refixed at Tk 1.80 .

Previously the metropolitan bus fare was Tk 1.70 per kilometer. At present, it has been proposed to increase to Tk 2.15. The difference between the previous fare and  the proposed fare is 0.45 paise.

The previous fare of the minibus was Tk 1.60 per kilometer. At present, it has been proposed to increase to Tk 2.05.

Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association's General Secretary Khandaker Enayet llah said, “We hope that since the fare has been adjusted, the owners will start plying their buses.”

 The day after the announcement of the increase in the price of diesel and kerosene, the transport owners and workers expressed their dissatisfaction. Then on Friday (November 5) from 6 am, the owners of buses, trucks, and goods vehicles started an indefinite transport strike in the capital and across the country. This has caused immense sufferings to people all over the country. 

Common people who are the real victims of the transport strike, said that the refixing of bus fares is the responsibility of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), an agency under the Ministry of Road Transport.

The transport owners held the general public hostage by calling strike demanding increase in fares, but the government did not take any immediate action. The transport syndicate has gone on strike as a strategy to create pressure to increase fares.

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