Govt considering reinstating previous bus fare on 2 conditions: Quader

The government is considering going back to the previous bus fare on two conditions: every passenger has to wear mask and bus operators would not be allowed to take standing passengers, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today.

"Decision in this regard would be announced soon," Quader said.

He was speaking at a views-exchange meeting through video conference from his residence with the officials of Roads and Highway Department (RHD), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Cumilla zone of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC).

He came up with the information as the authorities concerned have undertaken moves to normalise operations of public transport, despite number of new infections and deaths from Covid-19 still on the rise.

BRTA on Thursday wrote to the road transport and bridges ministry to take necessary steps regarding transport owners' proposal to operate buses at full capacity at previous fares.

The move came as bus owners last week wrote to the ministry and BRTA to allow them to operate their vehicles at full capacity at the previous fares, claiming that the coronavirus situation is getting better.

Public transport services, including buses and minibuses, resumed on June 1 after more than two months. The government suspended the services on March 26 to contain the spread of the virus.

Following demands by transport leaders, the government hiked bus fares by 60 percent from June 1 on the condition that buses would carry passengers at half capacity and follow other health safety guidelines.

But complaints on the breach of the aforementioned conditions kept pouring in.

ROHINGYA ISSUE

Talking about the Rohingya issue, Quader, also the general secretary of ruling Awami League, said the government has continued diplomatic steps to solve the crisis.

Saying that the environment, locality and tourism of Bangladesh are being harmed by the crisis, Quader added it would be very tough for Bangladesh to bear the pressure of 11 lakh Rohingyas if global community loses interest over it.

He drew attention of international community including United Nations to resolve the problem.

The minister expressed discontent over the slow pace of implementation of some road projects. He also asked the RHD engineers to main quality of the construction works.

Road Transport and Highway Division's Secretary Nazrul Islam, RHD's Chief Engineer Quazi Shahriar Hossain, among other, also took part in the virtual meeting.