Amid speculation on social media regarding increase in metro rail fares, the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has assured that the fare will not be increased immediately.
Besides, there is no opportunity to reduce the fare.
DMTCL Managing Director MAN Siddique told reporters about the fare at his office in Eskaton in the capital on Thursday.
“We have no plan to increase or reduce the fare. But if the National Board of Revenue (NBR) imposes VAT on metro rail, or if the electricity bill goes up, we will think about increasing the fare,” said the official.
The NBR is planning to introduce a 15% value-added tax (VAT) on metro rail tickets in the fiscal year 2025.
At present, metro rail is running from 7am to 8.40pm at 16 stations from Uttara North to Motijheel.
For this, a minimum fare of Tk20 from one station to another station and a maximum fare of Tk100 for traveling from Uttara to Motijheel station have been fixed.
Meanwhile, if the NBR's plan to add VAT to metro rail tickets is implemented in the upcoming budget, it would result in increased government revenue.
However, it would also make the metro rail commuting more expensive for passengers.
According to calculations following a 15% VAT imposition, the minimum ticket price for the shortest distance would rise to Tk23 from the current Tk20, while the maximum distance ticket price would increase to Tk115 from Tk100.
