Amid rising bus fares following the increase in fuel prices, the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (Bangladesh Passengers’ Welfare Association) has proposed increasing long-distance bus fares by 8 paisa per kilometre and city bus fares, including those in the capital, by 10 paisa per kilometre.

The proposal was made by the association’s Secretary General Md Mozammel Haque Chowdhury in an urgent press release sent to the media.

According to the release, the proposed fare increase is 8 paisa per kilometre for long-distance buses and 10 paisa per kilometre for city bus services. It also proposed increasing launch fares by 5 paisa per nautical mile.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has proposed increasing long-distance bus fares by 20 paisa per kilometre and city bus fares, including those in the capital, by 18 paisa per kilometre.

However, the final decision on the fare increase will be made by the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. The decision will then be published through a gazette notification.

On Sunday night, the government announced a Tk 20-per-litre increase in the prices of diesel, petrol, octane and kerosene. Under the new rates, a litre of diesel is now being sold for Tk 135, kerosene for Tk 155, petrol for Tk 160 and octane for Tk 165. The new prices came into effect on Monday.

The organisation alleged that it is natural for bus and launch fares to increase when fuel prices rise. However, it alleged that since the period of the previous authoritarian government, the authorities concerned have been determined to hand over the entire benefit of fuel price hikes to bus and launch owners.

It further alleged that the authorities held a series of closed-door meetings with bus and launch owners over fare-setting in the public interest while keeping the details hidden from the media.