Dhaka, Sep 22 (V7N)- Bus and minibus fares have been increased by 17 paisa per kilometer following the government's recent hike in fuel prices.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges on Tuesday (September 22).
The revised fare will apply to buses and minibuses operating on long-distance routes as well as within metropolitan areas, including Dhaka.
After the meeting, Member of Parliament and transport workers' leader Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas said strict action would be taken against transport operators who charge passengers above the government-fixed fares.
He said transport owners had initially proposed increasing fares by 20 paisa per kilometer. The final increase was set at 17 paisa, three paisa lower than the proposal.
Biswas said the fare adjustment was unavoidable following the increase in fuel prices, while acknowledging that higher transport costs could have an impact on the prices of essential commodities.
He urged passengers to accept the situation, saying the increase was linked to the higher operating costs faced by transport operators.
The government increased the prices of four types of fuel by Tk 20 per litre from September 21. Diesel rose from Tk 115 to Tk 135, kerosene from Tk 135 to Tk 155, petrol from Tk 140 to Tk 160 and octane from Tk 145 to Tk 165.
The latest decision follows a proposal by transport owners on Monday for a 20-paisa-per-kilometre increase. At that stage, inter-district fares were proposed to rise from Tk 2.23 to Tk 2.43 per kilometre, while city fares were proposed to increase from Tk 2.53 to Tk 2.73.
The authorities are expected to enforce the revised fares through the applicable government fare structure, with passengers protected against additional charges beyond the approved rates.
Bus Fares Rise 17 Paisa Per Kilometer After Fuel Price Hike
Dhaka, September 22 (V7N)- Bus and minibus fares have been increased by 17 paisa per kilometer following the government's recent hike in fuel prices.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges on Tuesday (September 22).
The revised fare will apply to buses and minibuses operating on long-distance routes as well as within metropolitan areas, including Dhaka.
After the meeting, Member of Parliament and transport workers' leader Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas said strict action would be taken against transport operators who charge passengers above the government-fixed fares.
He said transport owners had initially proposed increasing fares by 20 paisa per kilometer. The final increase was set at 17 paisa, three paisa lower than the proposal.
Biswas said the fare adjustment was unavoidable following the increase in fuel prices, while acknowledging that higher transport costs could have an impact on the prices of essential commodities.
He urged passengers to accept the situation, saying the increase was linked to the higher operating costs faced by transport operators.
The government increased the prices of four types of fuel by Tk 20 per litre from September 21. Diesel rose from Tk 115 to Tk 135, kerosene from Tk 135 to Tk 155, petrol from Tk 140 to Tk 160 and octane from Tk 145 to Tk 165.
The latest decision follows a proposal by transport owners on Monday for a 20-paisa-per-kilometre increase. At that stage, inter-district fares were proposed to rise from Tk 2.23 to Tk 2.43 per kilometre, while city fares were proposed to increase from Tk 2.53 to Tk 2.73.
The authorities are expected to enforce the revised fares through the applicable government fare structure, with passengers protected against additional charges beyond the approved rates.
END/SMA/AJ
