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Published : 21 Aug 2025, 09:27 PM
Bus fares on the Dhaka-Narayanganj route have been raised by Tk 5 to Tk 55 for non-AC buses, less than a year after fares were reduced in the face of protests.
Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zahidul Islam made the announcement during a meeting of the District Passenger and Freight Transport Committee at his office on Wednesday afternoon.
“The increased fare will take effect from Thursday morning,” he said.
Currently, over 100 buses operated by City Bandhan Paribahan and Utsob Transport run on this route.
While fares were previously Tk 45, they were raised to Tk 60 during the COVID-19 pandemic, then later reduced to Tk 55.
Following the fall of the Awami League government last year, Passenger Rights' Protection Forum, a Narayanganj-based organisation, launched a campaign demanding lower fares.
On Nov 16, a day before a planned half-day shutdown, the then DC Md Mahmudul Hasan met transport owners and forum leaders, settling on a Tk 50 fare.
That decision has now been overturned after just nine months, even though BRTC buses still charge Tk 45 for the same route.
Political leaders, civic activists, students and professionals expressed frustration following the new announcement, saying the fare hike was unjustified in the absence of any increase in fuel prices or travel distance.
Tariqul Sujan, district coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said: “Without any review, the administration prioritised the unfair demands of bus owners and increased the fare in a single meeting.
“Passengers’ concerns were completely ignored. This is a direct injustice.”
He added that the previous fare cut took into account extortion and irregularities in the transport sector, but the current move clearly prioritised owners' interests alone.
Rafiur Rabbi, convenor of the Passenger Rights' Protection Forum, rejected the fare hike outright and announced plans for protest.
“This is unfair and irrational. We reject and condemn it,” he said. “Fuel prices, including diesel, are falling. There is no government directive authorising any increase. Previously, the Osman family was involved in extortion in the transport sector. Now, after the Uprising, the deputy commissioner appears to be enabling a new syndicate.”
He added, “In the past, DCs took the lead in reducing fares. But this is the only one we've seen actively pushing for an increase. We question his motives.
“We will discuss within our forum and announce a programme soon.”
When contacted, DC Zahidul said over the phone: “Bus owners have been threatening to suspend services unless fares were adjusted. That’s why we called the meeting. No one objected to the distance or unit price during discussions.
“Owners have reduced seats from 52 to 45 per bus. Based on their calculation, the fare comes to Tk 61, and BRTA estimates it at Tk 57,” he added. “Considering all factors, we set it at Tk 55. We are bound by policy and can’t act outside it.”
He also confirmed that the meeting approved half fare for students seven days a week.
On Thursday afternoon, students held a human chain outside the Narayanganj Press Club under the banner of “Students and People of Narayanganj”, demanding the fare be brought back down.
Leaders of the Students Against Discrimination were present at the protest.
Addressing the gathering, they issued a 24-hour ultimatum, warning that a citywide blockade would be enforced if the fare was not reduced.
