Launch fares hiked following bus fare increase

Launch fares have been increased following a hike in bus fares after a rise in fuel prices.
The fare has been set at 23 paisa per kilometre for short-distance journeys, while 20 paisa per kilometre has been fixed for long-distance journeys.
Road Transport and Bridges and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam announced the new fares following a meeting with launch owners on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the government issued a gazette notification raising fares for diesel-run buses and minibuses by 17 paisa per kilometre, taking into account the recent hike in diesel prices and operating costs.
According to the notification, the revised fares took effect on Tuesday, September 22.
In Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, the passenger fare for buses has been increased to Tk 2.70 per kilometre from Tk 2.53.
For minibuses operating in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, as well as buses and minibuses operating under the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Narsingdi, Gazipur and Manikganj districts, the fare has been raised to Tk 2.60 per kilometre from Tk 2.43.
On inter-district and long-distance routes, bus and minibus fares have been raised to Tk 2.40 per kilometre from Tk 2.23.
The minimum fare in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas remains unchanged at Tk 10 for buses and Tk 8 for minibuses.
The fare increase follows the government’s decision to raise fuel prices by Tk 20 per litre across all categories in line with international market prices. The new prices, effective from September 21, put diesel and kerosene at Tk 135 per litre, octane at Tk 160 and petrol at Tk 155.