Using Padma Bridge: Bus Fares Fixed for 13 Southwest Routes

The authorities have increased the bus fares on 13 routes in south-western districts, which will come into force on June 26, a day after the inauguration of the Padma Bridge.

As per a circular issued by Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the fares will be raised by Tk10 to Tk11 after adjusting the toll of the newly constructed bridge.

The BRTA uploaded a chart of the new bus fares on its website yesterday.

On May 17, the government fixed the toll rate for using Padma Bridge, which is around 1.5 times higher than the average toll paid on ferries plying the Padma.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the long-cherished bridge on June 25 and it will be opened to traffic the following day, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday.

The bus fares on these routes are likely to go up again when the government will start collecting toll for using the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway.

The Roads and Highways Department said it is likely to start collecting toll for the expressway from July 1. However, no order has been issued yet in this regard.

The new rates will be applicable for only those buses which will start from Saydabad of Dhaka, not for those starting from other inter-district terminals in the capital.

Buses which would use other terminals have to take fresh route permits, BRTA officials said.

As per the circular, the fare on Dhaka-Bhanga-Madaripur-Barishal route would be Tk412, Tk504 on Dhaka-Rajoir-Gopalganj, Tk649 on Dhaka-Gopalganj-Khulna, Tk218 on Dhaka-Janjira-Shariatpur, Tk534 on Dhaka-Barishal-Pirojpur, Tk628 on Dhaka-Gopalganj-Bagerhat-Pirojpur, Tk501 on Dhaka-Barishal-Patuakhali, Tk327 on Dhaka-Bhanga-Madaripur, Tk633 on Dhaka-Gopalganj-Khulna-Shatkhira, Tk288 on Dhaka-Bhanga-Faridpur, Tk653 on Dhaka-Madaripur-Barishal-Bhola-Char Fashion, Tk219 on Dhaka- Buriganga second bridge-Shariatpur, and Tk694 on Dhaka-Madaripur-Barishal-Patuakhali-Kuakata.