Some Dhaka bus routes charge Tk5 more as new fares await rollout
Passengers on some routes report being charged Tk5 more, while others continue to pay the old fares as operators await the revised fare structure
Highlights:
- Bus fares vary by route and stoppage in Dhaka as new rates have yet to take effect
- Some passengers have already been asked to pay Tk5 more
- Several routes are still charging the previous fares
- Government sets 17 poisha/km fare hike for city and long-distance buses
- New fares expected to take effect from Wednesday
Bus fares on different routes in Dhaka have remained inconsistent following the government's decision to raise fares by 17 poisha per kilometre, with the revised rates yet to officially take effect.
Passengers and bus helpers in areas including Banglamotor and Shahbagh reported mixed fare collection today (22 September). While some passengers were asked to pay Tk5 more than the previous fare, others continued to pay the existing rates.
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Sabina Akter, who was travelling from Paltan to Kalabagan on a Savar Paribahan bus, said the helper asked her to pay a higher fare.
"The bus helper asked for a higher fare. But the new fare has not yet taken effect, so I paid the previous Tk15. I will pay the increased fare once it becomes effective," she said.
Yusuf, a passenger on a Midline bus travelling from Sayedabad to Science Lab, said his regular fare was Tk40, but the helper asked him to pay Tk50.
"The helper did not insist. But he asked me to pay Tk50 according to the new fare. I told him the new fare has not yet started, so I would pay the regular Tk40," he said.
Some passengers said they were still paying the previous fares.
Abdullah, travelling on an Thikana bus from Signboard to Science Lab, said his fare remained Tk30 and he paid the same amount today.
"The helper did not ask me for any additional fare," he said.
Others, however, said fares had already increased on some routes.
Selim, who travelled with his family of three from Asad Gate to Banglamotor, said the fare had increased from Tk10 to Tk15 per person.
Another passenger travelling from Gabtoli to Banglamotor said his fare had risen from Tk20 to Tk25.
Passengers also said fares from Farmgate to Banglamotor remained Tk10, while those from Banani and Shyamoli remained Tk20.
Bus helpers said the revised fares are expected to come into effect from tomorrow.
Arman, a helper of Savar Paribahan, said they were still collecting the previous fares while informing passengers about the impending increase.
"We are still collecting the previous fare. But we are telling passengers that fares will increase and asking them to pay a little more. If someone pays, we take it, but we do not force those who refuse," he said.
"We hear the new fare will start tomorrow. Then we will have to collect the higher fare. Otherwise, we will incur losses as fuel prices have increased," he added.
Earlier today, the government decided to raise fares for both long-distance 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 decision was taken at a meeting at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges.
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 of its fare adjustment committee yesterday.
Under the government's decision, fares for both long-distance and city buses will increase by 17 poisha per kilometre, with the fare structure to be revised accordingly.
The revised retail prices of diesel, octane, petrol and kerosene came into effect on 21 September.
Diesel now costs Tk135 per litre, while octane, petrol and kerosene cost Tk165, Tk160 and Tk155, respectively.
This is the second fuel price hike since the BNP government assumed office in February this year. The previous hike was announced in April.
