In response to rising national fuel costs, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has sanctioned a uniform bus fare increase of 17 poisha per kilometre across both inter-district routes and metropolitan services, including the capital city, Dhaka.
The decision came following a high-level meeting convened on Tuesday, 22nd September, to adjust public transport tariffs to mirror the heightened operational expenditure borne by transport operators. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) had initially recommended a slightly steeper revision on Monday, proposing an increase of 20 poisha per kilometre for long-distance services and 18 poisha per kilometre for urban transport.
Addressing the press, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Member of Parliament for the Pabna-5 constituency and Chief Co-ordinator of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal central committee, explained the rationale behind the adjusted figures. He clarified that while the government’s official calculations originally pointed towards a 20-poisha hike, authorities intervened to mitigate the immediate financial strain on commuters.
“Considering the public interest, transport operators were asked to accept a reduced hike, lowering the increase by 3 poisha,” Mr Biswas stated. “Consequently, the final rate stands at an additional 17 poisha per kilometre. Bus owners will formalise this agreement alongside the BRTA, ensuring the 3-poisha concession applies universally across all metropolitan areas and districts.”
Acknowledging the burden placed on lower- and middle-income families, Mr Biswas emphasised that any fare hike, however modest, impacts everyday citizens. He strictly warned operators against premature or unauthorized price gouging ahead of the official gazette notification, noting that offender businesses would face severe disciplinary action from both administrative authorities and the Bus Owners’ Association.
This latest rate revision follows an earlier adjustment implemented in April, when a 15-taka surge per litre in diesel prices prompted an 11-poisha per kilometre increase in bus fares. Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, standard metropolitan bus fares in Dhaka and Chattogram were capped at 2.53 taka per kilometre for large buses and 2.42 taka per kilometre for minibuses. Long-distance 52-seater buses operated on a baseline rate of 2.23 taka per kilometre, though total travel expenses for passengers frequently varied depending on toll charges for bridges and highways, as well as modified non-AC buses offering reduced seating capacities for enhanced comfort.
With the new 17-poisha enhancement officially coming into effect following the ministry’s formal gazette publication, revised fare charts will be redistributed across all transport hubs to establish standardized pricing throughout the country.
