Passenger launch fares hiked by 7.54%

Passenger launch fares have been increased by 7.54 per cent following a rise in diesel prices, with the new rates adding 23 paise per kilometre for the first 100 kilometres and 20 paise for distances beyond that.

The minimum fare has been set at Tk 35 per passenger.

The fare hike comes after launch owners sought a much steeper increase, citing higher fuel and operating costs.

In a letter to Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday (September 22), the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Passenger) Owners Association proposed raising fares by 51 to 60 percent depending on distance.

The owners had proposed increasing the fare for the first 100 kilometres from Tk 2.95 to Tk 4.45 per kilometre and the rate beyond 100 kilometres from Tk 2.52 to Tk 4.02. They also sought an increase in the minimum fare from Tk 32 to Tk 35.

Under their proposal, the deck fare on the Dhaka-Barishal route would have risen from Tk 429 to Tk 660, while cabin fares were proposed at four times the deck fare.

The owners cited the diesel price increase from Tk 115 to Tk 135 per litre as a major factor, saying it had pushed up fuel costs by around 18 per cent.

They also pointed to higher fees, wages, maintenance and other operating expenses, including increases in BIWTA conservation, route permit and berthing charges.

The association further claimed that prices of vessel parts, welding materials, paint, gas and docking services had risen significantly, while passenger numbers had declined amid the expansion of road transport.