Home ›› 03 Jun 2022 ›› Front
The much awaited inauguration of Padma Bridge – which would significantly ease the movement of passenger buses to the country’s south and southwestern districts – is only three weeks away, but the transportation owners are not yet ready to offer services in this route.
Industry insiders say a large number of passengers will prefer the Padma bridge route instead of journeying through Paturia via Gabtoli, as the former will significantly reduce the time it takes to reach those destinations.
Though the bus companies are prepared to raise the number of trips through the Padma Bridge route, they have run into complications over setting up fares for long-haul passengers, and securing route permits.
A bus company owner, on condition of anonymity, told The Business Post, “A number of transportation companies recently approached the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) for setting up passenger fares, and route permits. We are now waiting for a response.”
One of the oldest operators in the area who possesses a fleet of 70 buses, the owner added, “We have plans to increase the number of daily trips between Sayedabad and the Barishal region from 6 to 25.
“We also plan to reduce the existing number of trips to the region through Gabtoli bus stand and Paturia Ferry terminal as soon as the Padma Bridge is inaugurated.”
He then said, “I believe, compared to the Paturia route, the bus fare for the Barishal region will decrease. Because using the Padma Bridge route will allow us to cut down 112 kilometers from the journey, when compared to the Paturia route.
“Though the ferry fare at Paturia is less than the toll of Padma Bridge, it will actually cost the transportation companies less to operate trips through the bridge route. However, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) will have to finalise these fares first.”
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners’ Association Chairman Ramesh Chandra Ghosh said, “We have not yet contacted the BRTA over setting up fares and mileage. If the agency approaches us seeking assistance, we will help them.
“But the BRTA needs to set up the fares and issue route permits as soon as possible.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to inaugurate the Padma Bridge for vehicular movement on June 25. It will connect 21 southwestern districts to the capital.
The distance from Dhaka to those destinations will be reduced by 100 kilometers or more and travel time will be reduced by 3 hours per trip.
Fare, route permit issues need immediate attention
The BRTA acts as the sole authority for fixing mileage to any long-haul destination and it also approves route permits.
For example, if a bus operates from Sayedabad to Barishal via Padma Bridge, the BRTA will first calculate the exact distance to the destination, and then calculate the total minimum fare by adding all tolls to the government approved per kilometer fare.
The total costs will be divided by the number of the passenger to set the maximum price of each ticket. New route permits are important too as not all buses will journey from the Sayedabad bus terminal, and some operators will switch from the Paturia route as well.
“For example, some Barishal-bound buses may ply from Gazipur, some may come from Tangail. As a result, the company needs to know first which roads they will take to go to the bridge, what the distance is and what the fare will be,” Ramesh told The Business Post.
“Some luxurious buses may start operating on this route as well,” he said, adding, “The government has plans to shift all terminals outside Dhaka. After the work is done, more companies will add vehicles.”
Responding to a query, BRTA Chairman Nur Mohammad Mazumder said, “The fixing of mileage rate will not be a big deal and there will not be a fresh fare chart. But the fare of some buses might drop.
“For example, if any company currently operating through the Paturia ferry ghat now wants to operate via Padma Bridge, the distance to the destinations will be less. The new fare will be determined by adding the Padma Bridge’s toll, but other calculations will remain the same.”
Mazumder added that the BRTA is working on fixing the fare for all individual routes, and hopefully, the matter will be finalised within this week.
About route permits, he said, “Those previously used this route via ferry will not need to get a fresh route permit, but any new operator seeking to ply this route will have to apply.
“Three government bodies work on route permit issues, the BRTA and the metro and district regional transport committees. When a transportation company applies for a route permit, they undergo scrutiny by these bodies.”
When asked whether any new operator has sought a permit for the Padma Bridge route, Mazumder said the BRTA has not received any such application till date.
