Home ›› 08 Aug 2022 ›› News
Beauty Akhter – a working woman – came to Motijheel from the Khilgaon area. She had to give Tk 20 bus fare while she gave Tk 15 on Saturday.
She said the bus fare was increased a few months ago. Less than a year later, the bus fare increased again. However, their salary does not increase like that.
“We who travel by bus have become hostages. There is no one to look after ordinary passengers like us,” Beauty said.
The transport authority declared a new transport fare after increasing fuel prices on Saturday. The number of buses on Dhaka’s roads in the morning is less even on the first working day of the week. Many bus owners did not take the bus on the road due to fear of complications.
Meanwhile, the price hike list has not yet been pulled at the bus counters or bus. Taking this opportunity, those who have taken down buses on the road, are collecting fares as per their wish.
The bus fares on various routes within Dhaka city have increased by Tk 5 to Tk 10, as seen while talking to passengers, bus conductors and drivers.
Mohammad Shapon, who works as a driver in a private company, told The Business Post that the fare from the Chittagong Road bus stop to Gulisthan was Tk 20 for local and Tk 25 for seating service. There are various types of transport like Somoy, Prabhat, Manzil, and Shraban movements along this route. Now they charge Tk 35 to Tk 40.
A banker Hamidur Rahman said that he gave Tk 35 instead of Tk 30 for going to the Shainboard area from Malibagh. The AC bus charged for the same destination Tk 70 instead of Tk 50.
Monir Ahmed, who works as a peon in a private company, said that he used to live in the Jatrabari area for two years. He always comes to Motijheel with 8 number buses. He gives Tk 10 as bus fare. But today the conductor demanded Tk 15 for it.
He said there are lots of arguments with the bus conductor when he demands more money instead of the original fare. Later, the passengers are bound to pay more.
It is around 3 to 4 km to Motijheel from Jatrabari. It should be Tk 7 to Tk 8. Accordingly, the bus fare of Tk 10 was already high. Meanwhile, they forcibly took Tk 15 there, Monir added and said that “The government is thinking about itself. There is no one for us to look at the matter.”
Other people who transport to Motijheel – Gilisthan- Mohammadpur route also alleged that the bus fare hike is around Tk 5 to Tk 10.
Diesel is the most consumed fuel in the country, accounting for around 73 per cent of the country's total fuel consumption. For instance, 90 per cent of the transportation sector is dependent on diesel.
The fare hike was decided after a meeting between BRTA and bus owners on Saturday evening. As per BRTA's decision, the fare per passenger for long-distance buses has been Tk 2.20 increased by Tk 0.40 per kilometre. And in the metropolis, the bus fare is Tk 2.50 per kilometre increasing by Tk 0.35. Apart from this, the minimum fare has been set at Tk 10 for buses and Tk 8 for minibuses.
Khaja Baba Poribohon’s conductor Rohim said that they charge Gulisthan to farmgate Tk 15 which is before Tk 10 and Gulistan to Mirpur Tk 40 which is before Tk 35.
He said “They are not charging a high fare. Tk 5 to Tk 10 is not much considering the rate of oil prices are increasing.”
Bokolpo Auto service driver Abdul Barek commented like Rahim of Khwaja Paribahan. He said that if we talk about the fare as kilometres, we are taking the right fare.
