'No extra fare, not even 1 poisha': Minister warns of route permit cancellation

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today (22 September) warned that route permits of transport operators will be cancelled if they charge even one poisha more than the government-fixed bus fare.

"If you [transport operators] charge extra fare, you will be fined under the law. After that, you will not be given a route permit again," he told reporters at a briefing at the Secretariat this afternoon.

The minister said the government had increased bus fares by 17 poisha per kilometre following a Tk20-per-litre increase in fuel prices.

He said the adjustment was based on established international and national policies under which a Tk1 increase in fuel prices per litre corresponds to a 1-poisha increase in bus fares per kilometre.

According to that formula, the Tk20 fuel price hike would have warranted a 20-poisha increase, but the government settled on 17 poisha after discussions with stakeholders, he said.

"No extra fare, not even one poisha more than 17 poisha, can be charged," Shaikh Rabiul Alam said, adding that the government would strictly monitor compliance.

Regarding train and launch fares, the minister said a meeting has been scheduled for 24 September to make a final decision.

"Considering the interests of people, the government will make its utmost effort to ensure that train fares do not increase in any way," he said.

Earlier today, the government raised fares for long-route and city buses by 17 poisha per kilometre, a day after increasing the prices of all types of petroleum fuel by Tk20 per litre.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority had proposed a 20-poisha-per-kilometre increase for long-distance buses and 18 poisha for city buses at a meeting on 21 September.