The Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association has instructed that bus fares must not be increased anywhere in the country until an official government decision is issued. The directive was announced on Tuesday (21 April) through a press release issued by the association’s Secretary General, Saiful Alam.
According to the statement, all transport operators have been instructed to strictly follow the existing fare chart. It further states that no additional fare may be charged from passengers above the current approved rates until a formal government notification on fare revision is published.
The association emphasised that the transport sector is currently under increasing financial pressure. In this context, transport leaders have urged the government to promptly and rationally revise fares in line with fuel prices and maintenance costs to ensure sectoral stability.
The statement comes amid broader economic pressures linked to global energy market volatility. The international oil market has experienced fluctuations due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including conflict involving Iran and retaliatory actions. These developments have contributed to instability in global fuel supply chains.
Bangladesh has also faced fuel-related supply and pricing pressures over the past one and a half months. Until recently, prices of most fuel types remained unchanged except for jet fuel. However, the government ultimately decided to increase prices across all categories of petroleum products.
On 18 April, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources issued a press release stating that domestic fuel prices had been adjusted in line with rising global market rates. The revised prices came into effect from midnight on 19 April.
The updated fuel price structure is as follows:
| Fuel Type | Previous Price (BDT/litre) | New Price (BDT/litre) | Increase (BDT/litre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 100 | 115 | 15 |
| Octane | 120 | 140 | 20 |
| Petrol | 116 | 135 | 19 |
| Kerosene | 112 | 130 | 18 |
The government described the adjustment as a reflection of alignment with international market conditions. The increases range from 15 to 20 Bangladeshi taka per litre across different fuel categories.
In response to the revised fuel prices and rising operational costs, the transport owners’ association reiterated its position that fare adjustments may be necessary in the future. However, it stressed that until the government formally announces a revised fare structure, all operators must adhere to the existing rates without exception.