Dhaka:The government has announced an increase in fares for diesel-operated buses and minibuses by Tk 0.17 per kilometer, effective from September 22. This adjustment follows a rise in diesel prices and transport operating costs, as stated in a gazette notification issued by the Road Transport and Highways Division of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the new fare structure raises the rate for buses operating within Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas to Tk 2.70 per passenger per kilometer from the previous Tk 2.53. For inter-district and long-distance routes, the fare has been increased to Tk 2.40 per kilometer from Tk 2.23.
Minibuses operating in Dhaka and Chattogram, as well as those under the jurisdiction of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Narsingdi, Gazipur, and Manikganj, will see fares rise to Tk 2.60 per kilometer from Tk 2.43. Despite these increases, the minimum fares for buses and minibuses in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas remain at Tk 10 and Tk 8, respectively.
The notification also specified that if the number of seats in a bus or minibus is reduced to allow for more comfortable travel, fares must be recalculated proportionately and approved by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority or the relevant Passenger and Goods Transport Committee. The revised fares do not apply to gas-run buses and minibuses.
Transport operators are required to display fare charts prominently inside every bus and minibus. This fare adjustment comes after the government increased the prices of major petroleum fuels, including diesel, kerosene, octane, and petrol, by Tk 20 per liter, effective from Monday. These changes align with international market prices, setting the new prices for diesel and kerosene at Tk 135 per liter, octane at Tk 165, and petrol at Tk 160.
The fare hike was announced by Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam following discussions with transport owners.