Truck fares up 20% to 30% on uncertain fuel supply

The ongoing chaos over fuel has driven up truck and covered van fares by 20% to 30% on key routes, disrupting goods transportation across Chattogram, Benapole, Khulna and the northern region.

The increase has added pressure on both traders and consumers supplying essential commodities, with traders warning that higher transport costs could soon push up market prices.

In the Benapole, uncertainty in fuel supply is directly driving up transport expenses. Truck driver Abul Kasem said fares have jumped by Tk5,000 to Tk7,000 within a few days, warning that prolonged disruption could cripple their business.

Similar pressure is evident on the Khulna route, where rising transport costs for perishable goods are already feeding into the market. Watermelon trader Altaf Hossain said a 20-tonne truck that once cost Tk20,000 now requires at least Tk25,000, forcing buyers to pay more.

In the northern region, the fuel shortage has emerged as a major challenge during the peak season for transporting seasonal agricultural produce. 

Muhammad Shahadat Hossain Saju, owner of a cold storage facility in Bogura, said it is now the peak potato transport season, yet vehicles cannot operate regularly. Even when they do, higher fares are unavoidable due to fuel scarcity.

The poultry sector is also beginning to feel the strain, with rising transport costs complicating market supply and demand. 

Truck driver Israfil Alam, who supplies chickens to Dhaka from northern districts, said fares from Rangpur have increased from Tk18,000–19,000 to around Tk21,000. 

Trader Suman Ali, who transports chillies from Bogura to Chattogram, reported a similar trend, with per-truck costs rising from Tk28,000 to between Tk35,000 and Tk37,000.

Fears of rise in essential prices

Rising transport costs amid the fuel shortage are feared to push up consumer prices, with traders warning of further increases in essential goods. 

Benapole truck driver Abdus Sobhan said, "I transport one truckload at a time. I now pay Tk4,000 more than before. Owners will pass this cost onto the goods."

He added, "There is no real diesel shortage. Trucks are running with adequate fuel. Owners are using the fuel crisis to justify fare hikes."

Transport owners said irregular supply is driving costs. Azim Uddin Gazi, president of the Benapole Truck Owners' Association, said, "Petrol and octane face minor issues, but diesel is sufficient. Delays in timely supply are pushing up fares, as pumps provide only half the required fuel."

Business representatives blamed weak supply systems and hoarding. Ejaz Uddin Tipu, joint secretary of the Jashore Chamber, said, "There is no real market shortage. Some hoard fuel, straining pumps, and truck owners exploit this to raise fares."

Pumps continue rationing in Ctg

Even with scheduled depot deliveries, most Chattogram filling stations remain closed or ration fuel. Pump owners said rationing continues despite its official removal.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) confirmed fuel arrives regularly, but pump owners said quantities are insufficient, and intermittent deliveries prevent consistent supply.

On Sunday, 13,000 litres of octane and 9,000 litres of diesel arrived at the city's QC pump, but surging demand strained stocks. At CMP Filling Station, 2,363 litres of diesel and 2,574 litres of octane were available in the afternoon, with sales ongoing.

Government vehicles at CMP received full allocation, while private motorcycles were limited to Tk500 and cars to Tk2,000. QC Filling Station followed the same rationing system. In contrast, Apollo Filling Station was fully closed, and Wasa Mor pumps operated at limited capacity.

One pump owner added, "We sell exactly what comes from the depot. We cannot turn customers away, so rationing is necessary."

Mohammad Mainuddin, member secretary of the Chattogram division of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association, told TBS, "Our stations have no fuel shortage. We sell only what dealers supply. Tag officers are deployed to maintain normal supply. The main issue is hoarding—many store excess fuel at home. Public awareness can restore normal operations."