Passengers complain of fleecing as bus operators start charging new rate

Commuters in Dhaka have alleged that they are being made to pay more than the government-fixed fare for CNG-run buses following hike in prices of gas.

As per the government announcement, fare for buses is raised from Tk 1.6 per kilometre to Tk 1.7 and for minibus, from Tk 1.5 to Tk 1.6 per kilometre.

The conductors of the CNG-run buses started charging the new fare on Thursday, but the list of new rates was not available with them.

The passengers alleged they were charged Tk 2 to 3 more than the fixed price.

Many of the conductors, however, failed to collect fare as per the new rate following passengers’ protests.

Some of them said they would start charging the new rate after some days.

Bihanga, ATCL, City Bus and route No 6 bus drivers and passengers said most of the buses on these routes charged the previous rate on Thursday.

Some of the buses on Abullahpur-Uttara-Motijheel route charged the new rate.

A passenger said the fare from Mohakhali to Farmgate was Tk 5, the minimum fare. But he had to pay Tk 7.

Another passenger alleged he had to pay Tk 10 instead of Tk 7 for the journey from Banani to Farmagate.

A route No 6 driver said: “There had been chaos over the new rate. So we charged the previous price today (Thursday).”

Association of Bus Companies President Khandker Rafikul Hossain, however, said he did not receive any complaint over the new rate until noon.

Mohakhali Bus Owners Association President Abul Kamal said they already started charging the new rate.

Al Amin, the assistant of the driver of a Swakalpa Paribahan bus, told bdnews24.com: “We are charging the new rate. Not much…only Tk 1 or 2 more.”

Mirpur-Gulsitan route’s Somoy Niyontron bus conductor Arif Hossain said they were also charging the new rate. “Some are paying. Some are not.”

He said the owners decided to stick the list of new rate on the buses within a day or two.

Bihanga Paribahan bus conductor ‘Shafiq’ said the fare from Mirpur to Gulistan was hiked by Tk 2 while Mirpur to Farmgate by Tk 1.

Md Raju, travelling from Malibagh to Rampura, said he paid Tk 5 as per the previous rate.

A route No 6 driver said, “Gas price has increased. How will the owner run business, if we do not charge extra?”

After hiking CNG price, the government fixed fares of CNG-run bus, minibus, and auto-rickshaw for Dhaka and Chittagong cities on Sep 10.

The new fare of auto-rickshaws will be effective from Nov 1.