Gas-Powered Buses Taking Advantage to Overcharge Riders

Every time fuel prices rise, the frustration of public transport users in Dhaka increases in equal proportion. Their day begins with an argument with the bus driver's assistant and ends the same way. This happens because, whenever the government increases fares due to fuel price hikes, the amount actually collected from passengers is often higher than the regulated rate. Sometimes the excuse is a lack of small change, and at other times, it is blamed on "orders from the owners."

Even though the price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has not increased, CNG-run buses have also hiked their fares. Naturally, this has sparked widespread anger among passengers. As always, there seems to be no one to address the suffering of the commuters.

Following the increase in the prices of diesel and other fuels on April 23, the government announced an 11-paisa increase in fare per kilometer for all types of buses. Subsequently, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) published a new fare chart, setting the minimum fare in the capital at Tk10. However, it was explicitly stated that this new fare increase would not be applicable to gas-powered buses.