Rising Ride-Share Fares Amid Fuel Costs

The cost of app-based motorcycle ride-sharing services in Dhaka has begun to rise following an increase in fuel prices, affecting daily commuters across the city.

Farhana Neela, who works at a private organisation and regularly travels across different parts of the capital, experienced the change on Sunday morning. She travelled from ECB Chattar in Mirpur to Road 70 in Gulshan-2 for official duties. She noted that the fare for the same route had increased noticeably compared with previous trips.

According to Ms Neela, the journey that previously cost around 100 taka now required a payment of 140 taka. She said the rider attributed the increase to fuel shortages and higher fuel prices.

The fare adjustment comes in the wake of a government notification issued on Saturday night, revising fuel prices to record levels. Under the new rates, effective from Sunday, diesel has been set at 115 taka per litre, kerosene at 130 taka, octane at 140 taka, and petrol at 135 taka. Authorities confirmed that the revised prices took effect immediately.

Motorcycle riders engaged in ride-sharing services report that both fuel scarcity and increased prices are affecting their operations. Many say they are compelled to adjust fares in response to higher operating costs and difficulties in obtaining fuel.

One rider, Md Musa Khondkar, who operates in the capital, said he had to wait for approximately seven hours in a queue to refuel his motorcycle the previous night. Shortly after obtaining fuel, he learned of the price increase. He explained that time spent securing fuel and the subsequent price adjustment were making it difficult to maintain previous fare levels. He added that unless ride-sharing applications revise their fare structures, riders may have to request higher payments directly from passengers.

Commuters have also reported sharp fare fluctuations within short periods. Zafar Iqbal, who lives in Bosila in Mohammadpur and travels daily to Gulshan for work, said he relies on ride-sharing motorcycles due to lack of fuel in his own vehicle. He reported that a morning trip from near the Bosila Bridge area to Gulshan cost 240 taka, compared with 187 taka for the same route the previous afternoon.

Another commuter, Nazhatul Towa, who works for a private organisation and is currently attending a training programme in Gulshan-2, also observed increased fares. Travelling from Farmgate, she said she paid 150 taka two days earlier for the same route, while on Sunday morning the fare had risen to 220 taka.

Selected Fare Changes Reported

The developments reflect immediate market responses within Dhaka’s informal ride-sharing sector following the latest revision in national fuel prices.