Bus fares rise by Tk 0.17 per kilometre

Bus fares have been increased by Tk 0.17 per kilometre following a rise in fuel prices.

The decision came at a meeting between the road transport ministry and transport owners on Tuesday.

For long-distance buses, the fare has been raised from Tk 2.23 to Tk 2.40 per kilometre.

In Dhaka and Chattogram cities, the rate has gone up from Tk 2.53 to Tk 2.70.

On Monday, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) had proposed raising long-distance fares by Tk 0.2 and city fares by Tk 0.18 per kilometre after meeting bus owners’ associations. The rates were reviewed and finalised at Tuesday’s meeting.

Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said while leaving the ministry in the afternoon, “Transport owners had demanded a Tk 0.2 increase per kilometre under the existing calculation because fuel prices had risen by Tk 20 per litre. Considering public interest and the overall situation, we have decided on a Tk 0.17 increase.

“Any fare increase puts pressure on the public. But considering the situation, we have tried to keep the increase resulting from the fuel price hike at a reasonable level.”

Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, chief coordinator of the central committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Sramik Dal, said: “Although the government calculation called for a Tk 0.2 increase, we have decided to charge Tk 0.03 less in the public interest. So fares are rising by Tk 0.17 per kilometre.

“Owners will sit with the BRTA and sign an agreement on this. A gazette notification may be issued [on Tuesday].”

Ministry Public Relations Officer Novel Dey told bdnews24.com that the gazette would be issued on Tuesday, with the new fares taking effect immediately.

Previously, fares rose by Tk 0.11 per kilometre on Apr 23 after fuel prices increased on Apr 18.

In Dhaka and Chattogram, bus and minibus fares rose from Tk 2.42 to Tk 2.53, while long-distance fares increased from Tk 2.12 to Tk 2.23. In DTC areas around Dhaka, fares rose from Tk 2.32 to Tk 2.43.

At the time, diesel rose from Tk 100 to Tk 115 per litre, octane from Tk 120 to Tk 140, petrol from Tk 116 to Tk 135 and kerosene from Tk 112 to Tk 130.

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