Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) on Tuesday introduced a special fuel facility for ride-sharing motorcyclists, allowing them to purchase more fuel than regular bikers despite the government’s ongoing fuel rationing amid tensions in the Middle East.

In a notice ,BPC said ride-sharing bikers operating in metropolitan areas will be allowed to buy up to five litres of fuel per day, while other motorcyclists can purchase a maximum of two litres.

It also set several conditions for supplying and receiving fuel under the arrangement.

According to the notice, when purchasing fuel from a filling station, ride-sharing riders must provide a receipt mentioning the type of fuel, quantity and price.

The original copy of the previous purchase receipt must be submitted when buying fuel the next time.

BPC also said filling stations must verify the motorcycle registration number and driver information with the relevant ride-sharing app before supplying fuel.

The state-run corporation reminded that fuel must be sold at government-fixed prices, warning that charging extra under the pretext of supply shortages is a punishable offence.

Fuel prices in Bangladesh are determined by the government at the beginning of every month and must be followed accordingly in the market, it said.

To prevent public panic and ensure uninterrupted supply, BPC said oil imports are continuing as per schedule despite the current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Fuel shipments are arriving regularly while oil is being transported from key installations to depots across the country through rail wagons and tankers, it added.

Under the new rationing system, private cars will be allowed to buy up to 10 litres of fuel per day, while sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and microbuses can purchase 20–25 litres.

Meanwhile, pickups and local buses will be able to buy 70–80 litres of diesel daily, and long-distance buses, trucks, covered vans and container trucks will be allowed 200–220 litres per day, according to BPC.