No evidence of overcharging bus fares in last seven days: Transport Minister

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam said that no incidents of passengers being charged more than the government-approved bus fare have been reported in the past seven days.

Speaking during a visit to the Mohakhali Bus Terminal in the capital on Monday (March 16), the minister said many transport operators are voluntarily charging less than the fixed fare to attract passengers.

“If the government-set fare is Tk 700, some operators are reducing it by Tk 100 and charging Tk 600. Others are charging Tk 680 by lowering the fare by Tk 20. In the last seven days, I have not found any instance where the fare exceeded the government-approved rate,” he said.

However, he noted that in some cases fares may appear higher compared with previously charged amounts, though they remain within the official limit.

Addressing the issue of buses parking outside the terminal, the minister said the number of buses currently operating from the terminal exceeds its parking capacity. As a result, buses are entering the terminal in phases as others depart.

“There is some inconvenience, but it cannot be resolved in a single day. We are trying to manage the situation within the next two to three days while ensuring normal traffic movement on the roads,” he said, adding that law enforcement agencies, volunteers, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), and representatives of transport owners and workers are working in coordination.

The minister stressed that there is no opportunity for operators to charge even one taka more than the approved fare. Mobile courts, vigilance teams and police control rooms have been deployed, and immediate action will be taken if any passenger files a complaint.

State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Habibur Rashid Habib and Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association Secretary General Saiful Alam, among others, were present during the visit.