Eid Bus Travel Mired in Tk 16.7 Billion Excess Fares
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Eid brings joy, hardship, suffering, and relief, though the experience varies, one thing remains certain during travel: extra bus fares. This Eid is no exception, as an estimated Tk 16.7 billion has been collected in additional fares on bus journeys.
A total of 800 bus routes operate across the country. Among them, 27 routes were selected for testing and monitoring of extra fare collection. The assessment covered 234,000 passengers out of 9.8 million trips. It found that Tk 56.19 million was collected in excess fares.
However, the remaining 737 routes were not directly examined. If the findings from the 27 routes are extrapolated to the rest of the network, total excess fare collection stands at Tk 16.648 billion.
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (passenger welfare association) conducted the survey for Agamir Somoy. The organization formed a ‘Public Transport Fare Irregularities Subcommittee’ to prepare the report.
Analysis from the group’s transport fare monitoring committee shows that long-distance routes experienced the highest level of extra fare collection. Passengers on routes such as Dhaka-Chattogram, Dhaka-Khulna, and Chattogram-Gaibandha paid the most additional charges.
On the Dhaka-Chattogram route, where the official fare is Tk 552, operators collected Tk 800. With an estimated 60,000 passengers, this resulted in an extra Tk 24.88 million, charging Tk 248 per passenger. On the Dhaka–Khulna route, the fare of Tk 541 was increased to Tk 1,000, forcing at least 10,000 passengers to pay an additional Tk 4.59 million.
On the Chattogram-Gaibandha route, fares were doubled. About 3,000 passengers paid Tk 2,200 instead of the official Tk 1,100. While total extra earnings on this route were lower due to fewer passengers, the per-passenger burden was significantly high. The lowest level of extra fare collection was recorded on the Saidabad-Kushtia route, where Tk 800 was charged instead of the official Tk 750.
The committee found no evidence of extra fare collection on the Chattogram-Sylhet route. However, several other routes showed nearly double the official fares. For example, operators charged Tk 1,800 instead of Tk 1,197 on the Chattogram-Bogura route. On the Dhaka-Kishoreganj route, fares rose from Tk 600 to Tk 900. On the Dhaka-Chuadanga route, fares increased from Tk 650 to Tk 1,000, while on the Dhaka–Feni route, Tk 600 was charged instead of Tk 440.
Higher rates of excess fare collection were also reported on routes toward Barishal and southern regions. Multiple complaints were received from passengers traveling from Jatrabari to Barishal, Patuakhali, Shariatpur, Gopalganj, and Faridpur.
Although extra fare levels were relatively lower on some northern routes, the overall collection amount remained high due to large passenger volumes.
Passengers alleged that bus operators and ticket counters collected additional fares citing vehicle shortages, high demand, and advance ticketing during Eid. In many cases, official fare charts were not displayed.
Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Joint Secretary Kazi M. Zobayer Masud said, “We cannot say that extra fares are not being collected at all. Some incidents may occur. It is difficult to control everything. Yesterday, we caught two buses and imposed fines.”
He added, “If anyone has evidence of excess fare collection, they should file a complaint. Police, administration, and we are present at multiple points. Legal action will be taken against those involved.”
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury said neither transport operators nor government authorities are keeping their commitments. He said continued excess fare collection is making Eid travel riskier.
