Passengers travelling on the Dhaka-Barishal route on Friday suffered steep and often arbitrary fare increases despite only a modest government-approved adjustment in inter-
While official calculations suggest a limited fare rise, commuters alleged being charged nearly double, highlighting a widening gap between policy decisions and on-ground practices.
On a busy Friday morning at Sayedabad Bus Terminal, private company employee Asadul Islam joined a long queue of passengers heading to Barishal. What he encountered at the ticket counter left him frustrated and concerned.
"They are charging Tk 500 to 600 for a non-AC bus ticket," he said. "I heard that fares were slightly increased by the government, but here I see almost double the expected amount being charged. This is unacceptable," he added.
His experience is not isolated. Several passengers at the terminal reported similar complaints, with many forced to pay inflated fares while others waited in the hope of lower prices.
Transport sources confirmed the government approved an 11-paisa per kilometre (km) fare increase for inter-district bus services. Based on this adjustment, the 170-km Dhaka-Barishal route should cost approximately Tk 379, after a total increase of about Tk 18.70. However, passengers reported being charged up to Tk 600 per ticket, about Tk 220 higher than the approved rate.
Passengers also alleged the overcharging on this route is not a new phenomenon. According to them, excessive fares were already being collected even before the latest revision. Many believe rising fuel prices are now being used as justification for further arbitrary increases, in the absence of effective regulatory oversight.
The disparity is not limited to road transport. River transport fares on the same route have also increased. Deck fares on launches have risen from Tk 300 to Tk 350, while single cabins now cost Tk 1,200 and double cabins Tk 2,400. In some cases, premium cabin prices have increased by up to Tk 600. Launch operators argue that previous fares were below government-approved rates and that the current adjustments reflect rising fuel and operational costs.
At the end of the day, Asadul Islam boards his bus, paying the inflated fare despite his dissatisfaction. "I have no choice," he said. "I need to go home. But if this continues, it will only increase the burden on ordinary people."
Experts say the situation highlights a widening gap between policy decisions and ground-level implementation. While passengers are being overcharged on inter-district routes, urban transport in the capital continues to operate at previous fare levels, creating an uneven and inconsistent pricing system.
They stress the urgent need for stronger enforcement, mandatory display of official fare charts, and accessible complaint mechanisms for passengers. Without immediate intervention, analysts warn, the current imbalance could further escalate public dissatisfaction and deepen instability in the transport sector.
