The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has announced revised bus fares for 13 key inter-district routes in the country’s south-western region, factoring in the toll charges of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge. The new fare structure will come into effect from the very first day vehicles are permitted to operate across the bridge, according to an official circular issued last Wednesday.
The circular, signed by BRTA Director (Engineering) Sitangshu Shekhar Biswas, stated that the fare revision has been undertaken to ensure uninterrupted and orderly passenger transport services once the Padma Bridge becomes operational. The authority has adjusted the fare calculation based on buses carrying 40 passenger seats (excluding the driver), instead of the previously considered 51-seat capacity, to realistically accommodate toll costs and operational expenses.
The Padma Multipurpose Bridge, widely regarded as one of Bangladesh’s most significant infrastructure projects, is scheduled to open for vehicular traffic at around 6:00 am on 26 June, following its formal inauguration by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 25 June. The bridge is expected to dramatically reduce travel time between Dhaka and the south-western districts, boosting economic activity, trade, tourism, and social connectivity.
BRTA officials noted that the revised fares aim to strike a balance between transport operators’ operational viability and passenger affordability. The authority emphasised that the new rates are calculated transparently, taking into account distance, fuel costs, toll charges, and standard service capacity.
Below is a summary of the newly fixed bus fares for the 13 routes affected by the Padma Bridge toll adjustment:
| Route | Revised Fare (Taka) |
|---|---|
| Dhaka – Barishal (via Mawa–Bhanga–Madaripur) | 412.32 |
| Dhaka – Gopalganj | 504.21 |
| Dhaka – Gopalganj – Khulna | 649.36 |
| Dhaka – Zajira – Shariatpur | 218.53 |
| Dhaka – Barishal – Pirojpur | 534.20 |
| Dhaka – Gopalganj – Pirojpur – Bagerhat | 628.25 |
| Dhaka – Barishal – Patuakhali | 501.52 |
| Dhaka – Bhanga – Madaripur | 327.50 |
| Dhaka – Gopalganj – Khulna – Satkhira | 633.05 |
| Dhaka – Bhanga – Faridpur | 288.39 |
| Dhaka – Madaripur – Barishal – Bhola – Char Fasson | 653.86 |
| Dhaka – Buriganga Second Bridge – Shariatpur | 219.88 |
| Dhaka – Madaripur – Barishal – Patuakhali – Kuakata | 694.29 |
Transport analysts believe that despite slightly higher fares on certain routes, passengers will benefit from reduced travel time, lower vehicle wear and tear, and improved service reliability. The Padma Bridge is expected to transform regional mobility and play a pivotal role in integrating the south-western districts more closely with the national economy.
BRTA has urged transport operators to strictly adhere to the revised fare chart and has warned that legal action will be taken against any operator found charging passengers beyond the approved rates.