Taking advantage of the Tk 20-per-liter hike in fuel prices, bus owners have raised fares for air-conditioned (AC) buses on several inter-district routes by Tk 100 to Tk 200 per seat.

Passengers allege that transport companies are charging fares at their own discretion due to the absence of a government-mandated fare chart and weak oversight by regulatory bodies.

Visits to the capital's Gulistan, Sayedabad, and Gabtoli bus terminals revealed that AC buses operating on routes from Dhaka to Barishal, Jhalakathi, Khulna, and Satkhira are collecting these increased fares.

Several major AC bus operators—including Saudia, Imad Paribahan, Golden Line, Green Line, and Blue Line—have raised ticket prices by Tk 100 to Tk 200.

Passengers of Sakura Paribahan, which operates on the Dhaka-Barishal and Dhaka-Jhalakathi routes, reported that non-AC bus tickets, previously priced at Tk 600, are now selling for Tk 650 to Tk 700. Meanwhile, AC bus fares have been raised from Tk 700 to Tk 800.

Palash Kanti, a passenger traveling from Dhaka to Barishal to attend his elder sister's funeral, stated that after failing to secure a non-AC bus ticket, he was compelled to pay an extra Tk 100 to purchase an AC ticket for Tk 800.

Hasna Begum, a passenger on the Imad Paribahan service (Dhaka-Satkhira route), alleged that even after purchasing an AC bus ticket for Tk 850, she was forced to pay an additional Tk 100 before boarding. She faced harassment when she refused to pay the extra amount. Passengers expressed frustration, stating that ordinary citizens have become hostages to bus owners and workers.

However, the transport companies have denied allegations of charging fares arbitrarily. Abu Bakar Siddique, an executive at Sakura Paribahan, claimed that the company had only increased non-AC ticket prices by Tk 25 and AC ticket prices by Tk 50. He stated that their 36-seater buses are incurring an additional fuel cost of Tk 4,000 per trip, and they are facing losses due to the even higher expenses associated with air conditioning.

On the other hand, Md. Bayezid, the Sayedabad counter manager for Imad Paribahan, mentioned that they have adjusted ticket prices by Tk 100 to cope with the Tk 20-per-liter hike in fuel prices.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) finds itself largely helpless in this matter, as there is no government-mandated fare schedule for AC buses.

Ershad Mia, the agency's revenue officer, explained that AC buses fall outside the government's fixed fare structure because they are classified as premium transport services offering special amenities. Consequently, in the absence of a prescribed fare list, there is no scope for direct enforcement action; however, measures could be taken following an investigation if specific complaints are received.

It is worth noting that while Section 34(2) of the Road Transport Act, 2018 empowers the government to set fares for public transport, this provision does not apply to air-conditioned luxury buses.

Although Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam informed Parliament on April 9 about plans to formulate a fare schedule and implement digital fare displays for AC buses, BRTA officials have been unable to report any progress on the matter.

Source: The Daily Star