Bus fares to rise by 17 paisa per km
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A decision has been finalized to increase bus fares by 17 paisa per kilometer for both city and long-distance routes after fuel prices were raised by Tk 20 per liter.
A source at the Road Transport and Highways Division confirmed to Agamir Somoy that a notification on the matter will be issued today, Tuesday.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) held a meeting with the bus owners' association yesterday following the fuel price hike.
At the meeting, the BRTA recommended increasing bus fares by 18 paisa per kilometer for city buses and 20 paisa per kilometer for long distance buses.
However, at a meeting of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges today, it was decided to reduce the proposed fare hike and set it at 17 paisa per kilometer.
As a result, the fare for long distance buses, currently Tk 2.23 per kilometer, may increase to Tk 2.40. The current fare in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas is Tk 2.53 per kilometer. With a 17 paisa increase, it will rise to Tk 2.70.
However, the notification will clarify the new fare rates and how they will apply to different categories of buses, according to sources at the meeting.
Sources said the amount of the fare increase was reduced from the rate proposed by the BRTA at the ministry meeting, considering the additional burden on passengers.
On Sunday, the government announced a Tk 20 per liter increase in the prices of four types of fuel. Under the new prices, diesel rose from Tk 115 to Tk 135, kerosene from Tk 135 to Tk 155, octane from Tk 145 to Tk 165 and petrol from Tk 140 to Tk 160. The new prices took effect on Monday.
Transport owners had been demanding an increase in bus fares, citing higher operating costs after the price of diesel, which is used by most public transport including buses, increased by Tk 20. In response, the BRTA took the initiative to revise the fares.
Earlier in April this year, bus fares were increased by 11 paisa per kilometer after diesel prices rose by Tk 15 per liter. At that time, the fare for long distance buses increased from Tk 2.12 to Tk 2.23 per kilometer, while fares for buses in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas rose from Tk 2.42 to Tk 2.53 per kilometer.
If the new decision takes effect, bus fares will increase again within five months.
