Dhaka-N'ganj bus fare hike decision suspended after protests
The suspension comes just two days after the new fare, which increased from Tk50 to Tk55, was made effective
The extended bus fare on the Dhaka-Narayanganj route has been suspended by the Narayanganj district administration following protests from political and social groups.
The decision was announced by Narayanganj District Commissioner Jahidul Islam this (22 August) morning.
The suspension comes just two days after the new fare, which increased from Tk50 to Tk55, was made effective.
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The increase was decided during a meeting of the Narayanganj district Regional Transport Committee (RTC) last Wednesday (20 August).
The decision was met with immediate and strong criticism from various political parties and civic organisations.
Attendees at that meeting, including representatives from BNP, Jamaat, Islami Andolan, Khelafat Majlis, the Passenger Rights' Protection Forum, and the Chhatra Federation, opposed the fare hike.
Leaders from the Passenger Rights' Protection Forum argued that bus owners were already making sufficient profit with the Tk50 fare, and that the hike was simply to legalise "extortion" by the now-banned Awami League-affiliated individuals, a claim the forum said was based on the fallen government's transport laws.
Despite the objections, District Commissioner Jahidul Islam had initially stated that he was bound by law, as government calculations showed the fare should be closer to Tk57.
He approved the Tk55 fare while also mandating that students would receive a half-fare discount seven days a week.
However, the decision sparked immediate public outcry and various political and student organisations announced plans for an agitation, leading to intense criticism and pressure.
In response, the district administration reversed its decision and suspended the fare increase.
