The government has decided to allow half fare for the students while riding BRTC buses, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Friday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the decision about fare discount for the students responding to their demand, the minister said at a press briefing at his residence in the capital.
Mentioning that the prime minister prioritises any pro-people issue, Obaidul said the decision would come into effect from December 1 and the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) would issue a gazette notification in this regard soon.
Obaidul, also the Awami League general secretary, said students must carry valid identity cards with photographs issued by their respective educational institutions while travelling and display it if required.
“They will be able to enjoy the facility from 7:00am to 8:00pm. However, the facility will not be applicable on the day of closure of educational institutions.”
The students have been staging demonstrations for a couple of days, demanding half fare on public transport for them.
A meeting between Bangladesh Road Transport Authority and other stakeholders concluded without making any decision on Thursday evening, as the public transport owners refused to accept half fare from students.
At the briefing, Obaidul said another discussion would be held on Saturday over the issue and hoped that the meeting would reach a rational decision.
