Road Transport Minister Quader says bus fares to be hiked only after recommendations

Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader has said bus fares cannot be hiked before the public transport fare coordination panel places its recommendations for evaluation.

In a rushed briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he said the recommendations will be submitted between Sep 5-10 and the ministry will decide after that.

The government hiked rate of gas by 26.29 percent and power by 2.93 percent on Aug 27.

As a result, per cubic feet price of CNG supplied to motor vehicles have seen a Tk 5-hike in effect from Tuesday.

“We are under pressure due to power and gas prices hike. Confusion abounds over transport fares,” the minister said.

A 12-strong panel were evaluating public transport fares while an 8-strong body was reviewing CNG-autorickshaw fares. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority chief is heading both the committees, Quader added.

The minister admitted they have received written requests from the public transport owners association but the rate of increase in fares has not been finalised.

When his attention was drawn to the fact that autorickshaws do not follow rates set by the government when charging passengers, the minister said he will instruct the BRTA to look into the matter.