Charge passengers extra, risk losing route permits, Rabiul warns bus operators

Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today warned that bus operators could have their route permits cancelled if they charge passengers more than the government-fixed fares.

“There will also be provisions for fines, while the future issuance of route permits to offenders may be reconsidered,” he told reporters after a meeting with transport owners and other stakeholders at the Secretariat this afternoon.

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Rabiul said there had been isolated instances of operators seeking higher fares following the latest fuel price hike, but the government would not allow fares to exceed the newly fixed rates.

He said there was a long-established method for adjusting bus fares following an increase in fuel prices. Under the method, transport owners seek a one-paisa-per-km fare increase for every Tk 1 rise in fuel prices per litre.

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Bus fares rise by 17 paisa per km following fuel price hike

When diesel prices were previously raised by Tk 15 per litre, transport owners demanded a 15-paisa-per-km fare increase, he said. They also sought an adjustment for higher maintenance costs, as the rise in the dollar rate had pushed up the prices of spare parts and accessories.

“At the time, we did not take the maintenance cost into consideration. Through discussions, we were able to raise the fare by 11 paisa per kilometre,” he said.

This time, following a Tk 20-per-litre increase in fuel prices, transport owners demanded a 20-paisa-per-kilometre fare hike, along with an adjustment for higher maintenance costs, the minister said.

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Fuel prices hiked by Tk 20 a litre

“After lengthy discussions and explaining the situation, we decided to raise the fare by 17 paisa per kilometre,” he said.

Rabiul said any fare increase puts pressure on the public, but the government had been able to keep the hike below the rate sought by transport owners.

On freight transport, he said leaders of the truck owners’ association were also present at the meeting and had been instructed to follow the rules.

Regarding railway fares, the minister said no decision had been taken to increase them and the situation would be reviewed at a meeting.

“Last time, even though fuel prices increased, we did not raise railway fares. This time too, I will make every effort to ensure that railway fares are not increased,” he said.

Launch fares would also be reviewed following discussions with the relevant owners, he added.