Launch owners raise fares by 17-20% on Dhaka-Barishal route

Launch owners have raised fares by 17-20% on Dhaka-Barishal waterways to compensate for the Tk20 per litre hike in refined petroleum oil prices.

The fares for travelling in decks have been raised to Tk350 from Tk300, single cabins to Tk1,200 from Tk1,000, and double-cabins to Tk2,400 from Tk,2000, effective from Tuesday, said launch owners’ association.

They attributed the fare hike to rising fuel costs, operating costs, tax burden, workers’ wages, vessel survey and registration fees, and BIWTA charges.

Md Soleman, an assistant director at the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) office in Barishal, said the launch owners hiked fares to make up for what they said “losses.”

He, however, warned that actions would be taken if the fares are hiked further or beyond the permissible limit.

Golam Nabi Alamgir, president of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Passenger) Association, on Tuesday wrote to Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, asking for a 60% hike in fares owing to the recent hike in diesel prices.