B Mirror Report: The government has increased bus fares in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas as well as on inter-district routes following a rise in fuel prices, Road, Rail and Water Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said on Thursday.

Speaking at a briefing at the Secretariat, the minister said the fare adjustment took effect immediately and may be revised again in line with future changes in fuel prices.

Under the new rates, bus fares in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas have been raised by 11 paisa per kilometre, from Tk 2.42 to Tk 2.53. Inter-district bus fares have increased from Tk 2.12 to Tk 2.23 per kilometre, while fares within the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) area have gone up from Tk 2.32 to Tk 2.43.

The minimum fare remains unchanged at Tk 10.

Overall, fares have risen by about 4.5 percent in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, 5.1 percent on inter-district routes, and 4.7 percent in DTCA areas.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA)-led committee had earlier proposed a 22 paisa per kilometre increase, but the government approved a lower hike of 11 paisa.

The minister said the adjustment was necessitated by an increase in diesel prices, which rose by around Tk 15 per litre due to global market conditions. He noted that the government had tried to keep fuel prices stable for a long time, but the recent hike had a direct impact on the transport sector.

He added that the decision was taken after several rounds of discussions with transport owners, business stakeholders, and consumer representatives.

No decision has yet been made regarding fare increases for trains or launches, and the matter is not currently under consideration, the minister added.