Bus owners agree to take normal fare from Sep 1

The leaders of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners' Association have agreed to return to the normal fare from September 1 across the country.

They took the decision in a meeting on Wednesday night, association's Organising Secretary Aminul Islam told The Business Standard.

They also decided to maintain health guidelines for the passengers and bus staff.

Earlier on May 31, the government increased the fares of all buses, including inter-district bus services, by 60 percent as the vehicles are allowed to carry half passengers of the total seats to maintain social distancing amid the pandemic.

However, in recent days, the passengers in the public transports were being carried in the old style with increased fares. Besides, no public transport in the country was following the hygiene rules. As a result, the movement of general people became difficult due to unemployment and declining income amid Covid-19.

On August 25, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government was thinking of conditionally reducing public transport fare.