Govt increases launch fares by up to 18 paisa per km

Following the increase in bus fares, the government has now raised launch fares in response to higher fuel prices.

The Ministry of Shipping announced the fare hike in a gazette notification on Wednesday (6 May), reports Prothom Alo.

According to the notification, passenger fares for launches travelling less than 100 kilometres have been increased by 18 paisa per kilometre, while fares for distances over 100 kilometres have gone up by 14 paisa per kilometre.

This means launch fares have increased by 6.49% for shorter routes and 5.88% for longer routes.

Alongside the per-kilometre increase, the ministry has also raised the minimum passenger fare.

The revised fares came into effect on Tuesday (5 May), the notification added.

Previously, passengers were charged Tk2.77 per kilometre for the first 100 kilometres and Tk2.38 per kilometre for distances beyond that.

Under the new rates, passengers will now pay Tk2.95 per kilometre for the first 100 kilometres and Tk2.52 per kilometre for distances exceeding 100 kilometres.

Earlier, on 18 April, the government issued a notification increasing fuel prices. Under the new rates, diesel rose by Tk15 per litre to Tk115, kerosene by Tk18 to Tk130, octane by Tk20 to Tk140, and petrol by Tk19 to Tk135.

Following the fuel price hike, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges announced higher bus fares on 23 April.

Bus fares in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas, as well as on inter-district routes, were raised by 11 paisa per kilometre.