Bus fares rise far beyond 17-paisa hike before new chart issued

Bus passengers across Bangladesh are reportedly being charged far more than the government-approved 17-paisa-per-kilometre fare increase, with operators allegedly collecting up to Tk 100 extra on some long-distance routes even before the revised fare chart was formally issued.

The government decided on Tuesday (September 23) to raise fares for non-AC diesel buses by 17 paisa per kilometre following a Tk 20-per-litre increase in diesel prices. The revised rates are Tk 2.40 per kilometre for 52-seat long-distance buses, up from Tk 2.23, and Tk 2.70 for city buses in Dhaka and Chattogram, up from Tk 2.53.

However, passengers at several terminals and routes reported paying additional amounts ranging from Tk 20 to Tk 50, with complaints of increases of up to Tk 100 on some long-distance services. The reports came from terminals including Gabtoli, Sayedabad, Mohakhali and Fulbaria.

On the Dhaka-Barishal route, for example, passengers were reportedly being charged Tk 100 more, although the approved increase based on the route distance would be around Tk 40. On the Mohammadpur-Motijheel city route, where the existing fare is Tk 24, some buses were reportedly charging Tk 35. Under the new rate, the fare should be around Tk 26.

The fare adjustment followed the government’s decision to raise diesel prices from Tk 115 to Tk135 per litre. Transport owners had initially sought a 20-paisa increase for long-distance buses and 18 paisa for city services, but the government settled on 17 paisa.

The revised fares are based on 52-seat long-distance buses. Operators running buses with fewer seats can charge higher per-kilometre rates under the fare structure, while applicable road and bridge tolls are added separately.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has warned operators against charging more than the government-fixed fares, saying offenders could face fines and cancellation or non-renewal of route permits.

The absence of a revised fare chart has meanwhile left passengers confused and facing additional transport costs, with many complaining that their incomes have not increased to match the higher fares.