Passengers Fear Bus Fare Could Double

BD Digest Report

Demands for fare adjustment in the public transport sector have intensified after the increase in fuel prices. Transport owners are claiming that the cost of operating buses and trucks has increased after the price of diesel was increased by Tk 15 per liter to Tk 115. This has led to a proposal to almost double the fare of long-distance buses, which is worrying ordinary passengers.

According to the proposal of the transport owners, the current fare for long-distance buses is being increased from 2 taka 12 paisa per kilometer to 4 taka 5 paisa. This could increase the fare by about one and a half to two times. The owners claim that not only the price of fuel, but also the cost of components and spare parts has increased greatly due to the increase in the value of the dollar.

A source from the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association said that a proposal of 3 taka 75 paisa per kilometer was already made due to the increase in the cost of vehicle parts due to the increase in the price of the dollar. After the latest increase in diesel prices, efforts are being made to adjust that proposal to 4 taka 5 paisa. Preparations are underway for a meeting with the concerned ministry on the matter.

The owners claim that the cost of operating the transport has increased significantly due to the increase in interest rates on not only fuel but also tires, engine oil, maintenance, and bank loans. As a result, they claim that it is not possible to operate the buses at the current fare.

In this regard, Saiful Alam, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, said, “Even though the owners buy fuel at a higher price, they have to transport passengers at the previous fare. This is increasing losses. According to him, if the fuel price increases, the fare should also be adjusted automatically.”

However, transport experts have different opinions on the proposal to increase the fare. Ashish Kumar Dey, general secretary of the National Committee for the Protection of Roads, Rails and Waterways, said that a large fare increase without considering the capacity of passengers is not acceptable. According to him, a decision should be made based on transparent calculations after examining each expenditure category.

Dhaka University professor and transport expert Md. Hadiuzzaman said the owners’ proposal is not final. The BRTA’s designated committee will have to analyze each expenditure item separately and take a rational decision.

Meanwhile, it is feared that if the proposed fare comes into effect, it will put a huge pressure on ordinary passengers.

Passengers say that a new increase in bus fares amid the pressure of rising prices of daily necessities will make life even more difficult.