Proposal to Increase Bus Fares Sent to the Ministry

Photo: Collected

News Desk: The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has proposed increasing bus fares following the recent hike in fuel prices. The proposal recommends an increase of 20 paisa per kilometer for long-distance buses and 18 paisa per kilometer for city buses, including those operating in Dhaka. The proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges for final approval.

The decision was discussed at a meeting held on Monday (September 21) at the BRTA headquarters in Banani, attended by representatives of bus owners, transport workers, and other stakeholders.

According to BRTA officials, the Ministry of Road Transport will make the final decision on the fare increase, after which it will be announced through an official government gazette.

Basis for the Proposed Fare Increase

BRTA has a Cost Analysis Committee that determines bus fares based on operating costs. Normally, fuel price increases are considered along with other expenses such as maintenance and spare parts.

However, this time the government has decided not to include other rising costs. Instead, the fare increase will reflect only the increase in diesel prices.

As a general rule, a Tk 1 increase in diesel prices results in a 1 paisa increase in bus fare per kilometer. Since the price of diesel has increased by Tk 20 per liter, BRTA has proposed increasing long-distance bus fares by 20 paisa per kilometer.

Before the BRTA meeting, transport owners’ and workers’ leaders met Road Transport and Railways Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam at the ministry and formally requested a fare increase.

Proposed New Fare Rates

BRTA has taken a policy decision to propose:

Type of Bus Service

Proposed Increase

Long-distance buses

20 paisa per km

City buses (including Dhaka)

18 paisa per km

What Transport Leaders Said

After the meeting, A.S.M. Ahmed Khokon, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association, said that the proposal was made in response to the diesel price hike and that an official notification could be issued within the next couple of days.

Md. Saiful Alam, Secretary General of the association, said that although the costs of spare parts and other operating expenses have also increased, transport owners agreed to seek a fare increase based only on the fuel price increase, considering the financial burden on passengers. He also urged the government to issue the gazette notification as soon as possible.

Background

On Sunday night (September 20), the government increased the price of diesel by Tk 20 per liter, setting the new price at Tk 135 per liter.

Previously, in April, diesel prices were increased by Tk 15 per liter, after which bus fares were raised by 11 paisa per kilometer.

Current Bus Fare Rates (Before the New Proposal)

ServiceCurrent FareDhaka & Chattogram city buses

Tk 2.53/km

Dhaka & Chattogram minibuses

Tk 2.42/km

Long-distance 52-seat buses

Tk 2.23/km

The report also notes that many non-AC long-distance buses have reduced seating capacity from 52 seats to around 40 or fewer to provide more comfortable seating. Those buses already charge higher fares, and passengers also have to pay bridge and highway tolls in addition to the base fare.