The government has decided to increase the fares of inter-district and long-distance and city transport buses and minibusses by 60 percent to offset the loss of passengers due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Consumers and civil rights groups objected to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority-BRTA’s recommendation to increase bus fares by 80 percent. Finally, the Department of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification on Sunday to increase fares by 60 percent, which is effective from Monday.
To prevent the spread of Covid-19, trains and launches are starting to run across the country from Sunday after a 66-day lockdown. However, the long-distance bus-minibus service will start from Monday due to the decision to increase fares and vehicle repairs.
The circular said, “In order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the fares of inter-district and long-distance commuters (Dhaka metropolis and its adjoining areas and Chittagong metropolis) have been rescheduled by ensuring hygiene with a limited number of passengers conditionally.”
