No Bus Fare Hikes Pending Government Approval

The Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association has formally instructed all transport operators to refrain from increasing bus fares until an official government decision is ratified. This directive was communicated on Tuesday, 21 April, via a press release issued by Saiful Alam, the Secretary General of the association.

The announcement mandates that all transport owners must strictly adhere to the existing fare charts. It explicitly prohibits the collection of additional charges from passengers until the government issues a formal gazette notification regarding fare adjustments.

Economic Pressures and Sector Stability

The association highlighted that the transport sector is currently grappling with mounting financial pressures. Transport leaders have appealed to the government to swiftly and rationally recalibrate fares in alignment with the rising costs of fuel and vehicle maintenance. This move is deemed essential to maintain the stability of the sector while ensuring service continuity for the public.

The current domestic crisis is rooted in global geopolitical instability. Following retaliatory attacks involving Iran, the Middle East has seen heightened tension, causing volatility in international energy markets. Consequently, Bangladesh has faced a significant fuel supply crisis for the past six weeks.

Government Fuel Price Adjustments

While the government initially withheld price increases for most fuels, with the exception of jet fuel, the sustained global price surge eventually necessitated a domestic revision. On Saturday, 18 April, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division announced a price adjustment for consumers to align with global market rates. These new prices became effective from midnight on 19 April.

The following table outlines the specific price adjustments implemented across various fuel types:

Regulatory Compliance and Oversight

In light of the significant jump in diesel prices—a primary fuel for public transport—the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) typically forms a committee to analyse the cost per kilometre. This analysis considers fuel consumption, lubricant costs, tyres, and administrative overheads before recommending a new fare structure.

Until this committee concludes its findings and the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges publishes the official notification, any unilateral fare increase by operators is considered illegal. The Road Transport Owners Association has urged its members to exercise patience to avoid public distress and potential legal repercussions from regulatory authorities. Law enforcement agencies and mobile courts remain authorised to penalise any transport workers found charging in excess of the 18 April rates.