Recommending 80pc bus fare hike unacceptable: CAB

The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) on Saturday castigated the recommendation to hike bus fare by 80 per cent amid the coronavirus pandemic, calling it unjust and unacceptable.

CAB came up with the observation through a press release signed by its president Golam Rahman.

The association said when most of the people have been struggling for more than two months without any income source, there is no reason to impose extra fare on passengers to reimburse the transport owners.

Earlier, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) recommended raising bus fare by 80 per cent as bus owners have been directed to carry 50 per cent passengers to prevent the transmission of coronavirus.

CAB suggested providing the public transport sector with incentives or subsidy so that the owners can avoid losses. Apart from this, there can be an arrangement of bank-loans at low interest for the transport owners, it added.

Mentioning the lower fuel price in the world market, CAB said there will be no need to hike the bus fare if the fuel price in the local market is adjusted to that of the world market.

The association also thanked the authorities concerned for their decision for not raising fare on rail and river routes.