The government yesterday raised bus fares by 11 paisa per kilometre following the recent hike in diesel prices, although the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association submitted a note of dissent over the decision.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam announced the new fares after a meeting with transport owners and other stakeholders at the ministry in the capital.
The revised fares took effect from yesterday, while the minimum fares of Tk 10 in metropolitan areas and Tk 8 outside will remain unchanged.
Under the new rates, fares in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas have increased from Tk 2.45 to Tk 2.56 per kilometre, while fares for 52-seat inter-district buses have risen from Tk 2.12 to Tk 2.23 per kilometre.
In areas under the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, the fare has gone up from Tk 2.32 to Tk 2.43 per kilometre.
The fare from Sayedabad to Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar has been set at Tk 1,300, up from Tk 1,249, according to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority fare chart. Within the capital, a trip from Mirpur-12 to Jatrabari will now cost Tk 51, compared to Tk 49 previously.
ASM Ahmed Khokon, additional secretary general of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association, expressed dissatisfaction over the fare hike.
The association had initially proposed a 28-paisa increase, which was later revised to 22 paisa during the discussions.
The transport sector does not depend solely on fuel costs; there are many other operating expenses involved, he said.
“Since the current government has been in office for only two months, we have accepted its decision out of respect. We have officially submitted a note of dissent over our concerns.”
On the other hand, the increase applies only to diesel-run buses, while fares for CNG-run vehicles remain unchanged.
The fares would be adjusted automatically in line with changes in fuel prices.
Khokon also warned of strict monitoring to prevent overcharging.
Meanwhile, fares were already increased before the official announcement.
On routes such as Gulistan to Farmgate, where the fixed fare is Tk 13, passengers were charged between Tk 15 and Tk 20.
Similar irregularities were reported on long-distance routes, with operators citing fuel shortages and rising costs.
Fuel shortages and long queues at filling stations have reduced trips while increasing operational costs, prompting fare hikes, said Enamul Haque Liton, a counter master at a Fulbaria bus terminal operator.
Meanwhile, Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association, urged stricter enforcement to ensure discipline on roads, prevent accidents and stop overcharging.
