Govt increases bus fares by 60pc

The government today increased the fares of all buses, including inter-district bus services, by 60% as the vehicles are allowed to carry half passengers of the total seats to maintain social distancing amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

The government today issued a gazette notification stating, "The fares of buses and minibuses running for long routes will be increased by 60 percent on the existing rate (Tk1.42 on per kilometre).

On Dhaka-Chattogram route, the fare will increase by 60 percent on the government's last revised fares of buses and minibuses (Tk 1.70 for buses and Tk 1.60 for minibuses per kilometre and the minimum fare at Tk 7 for buses and Tk 5 for minibuses).

The fare of buses and minibuses running in the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) areas- Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Narsingdi, Gazipur, Manikganj and Dhaka districts is increased by 60 percent on the fixed rate of Tk 1.60 per kilometre.

Earlier, the fare committee of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) recommended increasing the fares of all buses, including, inter-district bus services, by 80%.

On Thursday, the government decided to allow public transports, including buses, trains, and inland water vessels, to resume services from Sunday while abiding by social distancing rules and health directives.

On Friday, in separate meetings with transport owners on Friday, BRTA and BIWTA decided to resume public transports.