Decision on revised bus fares likely on Thursday: minister

Shaikh Rabiul Alam says a final decision has yet to be taken on the proposed fare hike following the recent increase in fuel prices

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam says new bus fares are expected to be finalised on Thursday.

He made the remarks on Wednesday after a meeting at the Secretariat on increasing vehicle fares in the wake of the latest fuel price hike.

The meeting was attended by Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) officials, leaders of transport owners’ and workers’ bodies, and representatives of the ministry and other stakeholders.

Speaking to reporters while leaving the meeting, the minister said: “We have discussed the matter among ourselves. No decision has been taken yet. Hopefully, a decision on the fare increase will be made tomorrow.”

Earlier, on Sunday, a meeting on revising bus fares was at the BRTA headquarters in Banani.

That meeting also ended without a decision.

BRTA officials and leaders of transport owners’ and workers’ organisations were present at that meeting as well.

Afterward, the BRTA chairman told the media that a draft proposal on the fare revision had been prepared.

He said the ministry would soon finalise the proposal and announce the final decision on the extent of the fare increase.