Launch owners have sought a fare hike from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), but any adjustment will be made only after discussions and approval from the authorities, said Md Hannan, finance secretary of the owners’ association.
He said fares remain unchanged for now and no increase has been implemented. A decision will be taken only after BIWTA’s approval, following which a revision may be considered.
The development has triggered anxiety among passengers at Sadarghat launch terminal, where staff and travellers said on Monday that speculation over a fare hike is already causing concern.
Rafiqul, a staff member of the Farhan-7 launch on the Chandpur route, said fares have not yet been revised despite higher fuel costs. “Passengers are still travelling at the existing rates. Any adjustment will depend on government directives and decisions by the relevant authorities,” he said.
Passenger Md Al-Amin, travelling to Chandpur, said a fare hike of 36–42 percent would push passengers towards buses, adding pressure on middle-income travellers.
Another passenger, Sumi Akter, travelling to Bhola, said launches are the only transport option for many residents. “A sudden fare increase would make family travel very difficult,” she said.
An employee of MV Tipu said rising fuel prices have significantly increased operating costs. “A reasonable fare adjustment is necessary after discussion, otherwise sustaining livelihoods will become difficult,” he said.
Fuel prices in the domestic market have recently increased by Tk 15–20 per litre. In this context, launch owners, like bus operators, have proposed a fare hike to the government.
On Sunday, Md Badiuzzaman Badal, acting president of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Passenger Transport) Association, sent a letter to the BIWTA chairman proposing fare increases of up to 42 percent.
Under the proposal, fares for journeys up to 100 kilometres may rise to Tk 3.77 per kilometre, a 36 percent increase, while fares for distances above 100 kilometres may go up to Tk 3.38 per kilometre, a 42 percent rise. The minimum fare has also been proposed to increase from Tk 29 to Tk 35.
The government recently revised fuel prices in line with the global market, setting diesel at Tk 115 per litre, octane at Tk 140, petrol at Tk 135 and kerosene at Tk 130, effective Sunday. Launch owners say fare adjustment is necessary to sustain the sector.