Launch owners demands to raise fares by up to 60pc

Launch operators have demanded to hike up to 60 per cent in passenger fares on inland waterways following the government’s increase in diesel prices.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Passenger) Owners’ Association (BIWTA) has proposed raising fares by 51 percent for journeys of up to 100 kilometres and by 60 percent for longer routes. The association sent a letter to Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday seeking approval for the proposed fares.

A meeting on the fare increase is scheduled to be held on Thursday, the minister said.

Under the proposal, the fare for the first 100 kilometres would rise to Tk 4.45 per kilometre from the existing Tk 2.95, while the rate for each additional kilometre would increase to Tk 4.02 from Tk 2.52.

The association has also proposed raising the minimum fare per passenger from Tk 32 to Tk 35.

In the letter, association president Golam Nabi Alamgir said the proposed increase would raise fares by 51 percent for the first 100 kilometres, while fares for journeys beyond 100 kilometres would increase by around 60 percent.

The launch owners have also proposed that the recent increase in diesel prices be withdrawn if the fare hike is not approved.

The government on Monday raised the price of diesel to Tk 135 per litre from Tk 115, an increase of about 17.4 percent.

According to the association, the higher fuel price will directly increase operating costs as passenger launches on inland routes primarily run on diesel and lubricating oil.

The proposed fare increase is yet to be approved by the government.