TDS Desk:

Bus fares across the country have been increased by 20 paisa per kilometre to adjust for the nationwide fuel price hike of Tk20 per litre.

The new fares were re-fixed during a meeting with relevant stakeholders on Monday evening at the Banani office of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

Representatives of bus owners and transport workers were among those in attendance.

According to BRTA sources, proposals for fare adjustments were discussed by calculating the operational and fuel costs of buses under the new fuel prices, considering separate calculations for long-distance, metropolitan, and other classes of buses.

Meanwhile, the price of diesel, which is used in most public transport including buses, has risen from Tk115 to Tk135 per litre, directly increasing transport sector expenses by Tk20 per litre.

ASM Ahmed Khokon, general secretary of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, said a proposal was already in place detailing how fares should be increased depending on the percentage rise in fuel prices, and the new fares were determined based on that calculation.

Md Saiful Alam, secretary general of the association, said only the fuel price increase component has been adjusted in the re-fixed bus fares so far.

He noted that the government has not offered any new proposals considering other rising expenses in the transport sector.

Saiful pointed out that during the previous bus fare determination in 2022, the US dollar exchange rate stood at Tk86, whereas it currently ranges between Tk125 and Tk130.

He added that prices of all other goods have also increased, and although demands were made to consider these factors, discussions are currently limited strictly to the adjustment of fuel prices.

Recalling earlier discussions, Saiful said, “Last time when oil prices rose, the prime minister said that I have come into a new government, after three months our people will talk to you about these things. Now only the oil price is being adjusted.”

He explained that according to calculations following the fuel price hike, bus fares were increased by 20 paisa per kilometre.

“If the price of oil increases by Tk20, then this is 20 paisa. We are not asking for this, it is in calculation. In this, we have no profit, nor will there be a loss, perhaps no profit,” Saiful added.