Dhaka buses overcharge passengers, defying govt order

Several buses in Dhaka are reportedly overcharging passengers on Sunday, defying government orders.

The bus fare per kilometre (km) in Dhaka was increased by 35 paisa to Tk2.50 per km, but passengers claimed they were charged more than double.

This led to several disputes between passengers and bus authorities throughout the city.

Meanwhile, office-goers had to deal with a lot of challenges as only a small number of buses were plying the streets of the capital on Sunday morning.

Magistrate fining buses Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

Media worker Shafiqul Islam told Bangla Tribune that bus authorities are taking advantage of the passengers as most of them are unaware of their destination’s distance. 

A passenger of Akash Paribahan, Arju Mia, said: “As per the government’s directives, the additional fare from Uttara to Malibagh would have been only Tk4.80. But the bus conductor demanded Tk30 extra from me.”

Many buses are charging more than Tk5 even for small distances, said another passenger Anik Ahmed.

“They did not provide the new fare charts as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, a mobile court of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) conducted an operation in the capital’s Ramna area, and finned several buses for overcharging passengers.

BRTA Executive Magistrate Feroza Parveen fined the public transport for various other charges.

The government has increased fares of inter-district and long route buses by 22% and 16.27% in Dhaka, effective from Sunday.

Additional fares for inter-district and long routes buses and minibuses will be increased by 40 paisa to Tk2.20 per km from the existing Tk1.80 per km.

Mobile Court exploring city buses Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

The bus fare per km in Dhaka has increased by 35 paisa to Tk2.50 per km from the existing Tk2.15 per km.

However, bus fares outside of Dhaka were fixed at Tk2.4 increasing by 17%.

On Friday, the government also announced that it had raised all fuel oil prices, which came into effect on Saturday.

The price of diesel and kerosene per litre at the consumer level is Tk114, octane Tk135, and petrol Tk130.