Launch fare goes down by Tk 0.15 per km

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has lowered launch fare by Tk 0.15 per kilometre, setting the minimum fare at Tk 33.

The fare decreased from Tk 3 to Tk 2.85 per kilometre for the first 100 km and for each extra kilometre passengers will have to pay Tk 2.45 per km which was Tk 2.60 previously.

The Ministry of Shipping issued a notification regarding the refixed fares on Thursday. The minimum fare for passengers is now Tk 30, down from Tkk 33.

On August 5, the government increased fuel prices amid the volatility in the global market. Diesel and kerosene retail prices were fixed at Tk 114 per litre while octane at Tk 135 per litre and petrol at Tk 130 per litre.

Following this fuel price hike, launch owners on August 7 sent a letter to BIWTA, urging the government to increase the fare by 100 per cent, despite the price of diesel was hiked by 42.5 per cent.

On August 16, BIWTA increased launch fare by 30 per cent. The fare increased from Tk 2.30 to Tk 3 per kilometre for 100 km and each extra km, passengers had to pay Tk 2.60 per km which was Tk 2 previously.