From Tuesday, commuters will have to shell out more for a ferry ride in Bangladesh.
This is because the government has increased launch fares in view of the recent 42.5% hike -- from Tk 80 to Tk 114 a litre -- in the diesel price.
Fares have been raised by Tk 0.70 to Tk 3 per km for the first 100 km from the existing Tk 2.30 per km. And then beyond the first 100 km, the fare has been hiked by Tk 0.60 to Tk 2.60 per km from the existing Tk 2.
The minimum fare has also been fixed at Tk 33, a Tk 8 hike from the existing Tk 25, according to a government notification.
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Bangladesh Inland Water Transportation Authority (BIWTA) refixed the highest and lowest fares per km for passengers following the recommendations of the working committee formed by the Shipping Ministry in this regard, it said.
Against the backdrop of the launch owners' proposal for a steep fare hike, the Shipping Ministry had formed the working committee to recommend new rates by taking into account the potential implications of fuel price hike for all stakeholders.
In November 2021, after a 23% hike in diesel prices, launch fares were increased by more than 35%. The minimum launch fare was raised to Tk 25 from Tk 18.