No govt decision yet, but operators charge commuters higher
Ignoring the government’s directive, many bus operators have already started charging extra fares following the latest fuel price hike. Passengers yesterday alleged that the operators are charging them higher fares inconsistent with the rate of oil price rises.
The launch owners, though, are pushing for an increase in fares up to 70 percent. On Sunday, they submitted copies of a letter to the shipping ministry and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) demanding 53 to 70 percent hikes in fares.
The government on Thursday raised fuel prices by Tk 5 a litre. It asked bus operators not to charge extra fares until a new fare chart is announced.
Within days of hiking oil prices, altercations between passengers and bus staff have become a routine scene in buses plying in and outskirts of the city.
“I usually travel from Azimpur to Mirpur in Metro bus service for Tk 10. But the operator is charging Tk 12 for the same distance citing the fuel price hike,” said Dhaka University student Saurav Kumer Dey.
Transport owners and workers said they would have to incur loss if the fares are not revised.
“It is impossible to operate buses on pervious ticket rates. But my staff have to scuffle with the passengers for the extra fares,” said Mohammad Hossain, owner of a bus plying on Gulistan-Kanchpur route.
Previous fare from Gulistan to Kanchpur was Tk 15, but now it is Tk 18, he added.
Buses plying on the outskirts of the city and on the highways are no exception.
“I regularly travel from Gabtoli to Ashulia for Tk 40. But I had to pay Tk 50 today (Monday),” said businessman Shimul.
Some operators on Dhaka-Khulna route are charging Tk 350, though the usual fare is Tk 300, complained Badal, who came to Dhaka from Khulna yesterday.
Talking to The Daily Star, Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Samity Secretary General Khandaker Enayetullah expressed his ignorance about charging of extra fares. “If any bus operator is found charging extra, action will be taken against him.”
Launch owners have demanded for increasing the fares to Tk 2.00 from Tk 1.30 per kilometre for travelling the first 100 km, Tk 1.70 from Tk 1.00 for travelling over 100 km and to Tk 20 from Tk 12 as the minimum fare.
Bangladesh Inland Waterways (passenger carriers’) Association leaders claimed the shipping minister will sit with them on November 23 to discuss the adjustment in launch fares.
Ministry officials, however, said they did not know about the date of the meeting.
A BIWTA official mentioned that new launch fares will be fixed after talks with all the stakeholders of the sector. “We will also analyse the percentage of increase in bus fares before taking any decision for hiking launch fares.”
Earlier the government increased bus fares on September 19 and launch fares up to 20 percent on June 14.
-With The Daily Star input
