Dhaka-Narayanganj bus fare hike suspended

The Narayanganj District Administration has suspended the recently approved increase in bus fares on the Dhaka-Narayanganj route following widespread public protests. The announcement was made on the District Commissioner Zahidul Islam Mia’s official Facebook page on Friday morning.

According to the post, the decision to raise fares for Bondhon and Utsab transport services, which had been approved on August 20, has been put on hold due to unavoidable reasons. The fares will remain at their previous rates. The order was issued by the District Magistrate and Chairman of the Passenger and Goods Transport Committee, Narayanganj.

Earlier, non-AC bus fares on this route were Tk 50 . At a meeting held on August 20 in the District Commissioner’s office, it was decided to increase the fare by Tk 5, bringing it to Tk 55.

The fare hike triggered widespread anger among local residents, who voiced their concerns on social media. On August 21, an organization named “Narayanganj Student Public” organized a human chain protest in front of the Narayanganj Press Club.

Several other groups, including the Passenger Rights Protection Forum and the Ganasonghoti Andolan, also announced programs to protest the fare hike on Friday and Saturday. Additionally, statements opposing the increase were issued by the Narayanganj Citizens Committee, the Communist Party, and BaSaD.