Govt hikes launch fares by 18 paisa per kilometre

The government has increased fares for travelling on inland water vehicles like launches and ferries.

According to a notification issued Tuesday, a passenger will have to pay additional Tk0.18 per kilometre for the first 100 kilometres. The cost for the journey after that distance will rise by Tk0.14 per kilometre compared with the previous rate, said the notification issued by the Ministry of Shipping.

The fare for each kilometre for the first 100-kilometre journey has risen to Tk2.95 from Tk2.77, while for distances exceeding 100 kilometres, the fare has increased to Tk2.52 per kilometre from Tk2.38.

The minimum fare per person has been increased by Tk3.00 to Tk32.

The fares were adjusted due to the increase in fuel prices caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, which upended global energy transports.

Tuesday’s notification said that in accordance with Rule 27 of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Route, Permit, Schedule and Fare Determination) Rules, 2019, the government has revised the maximum and minimum passenger fares for water transport.

On 18 April, the government raised fuel prices to record highs, increasing diesel price by Tk15 per litre, octane by Tk20, petrol by Tk19, and kerosene by Tk18.

According to the new rates, diesel price is Tk115 per litre, up from Tk100; octane Tk140, up from Tk120; petrol Tk135, up from Tk116; and kerosene Tk130, up from Tk112.