Dhaka, Friday


29 March 2024


Business Insider Bangladesh

Fuel price hike: Dhaka commuters suffer

BI Report || BusinessInsider

Published: 13:06, 6 August 2022   Update: 17:15, 6 August 2022
Fuel price hike: Dhaka commuters suffer

Daily commuters wait for transport in Shahbagh area of the capital on Saturday. Photo: Business Insider Bangladesh

People who depend on public vehicles for their daily commute have been hit hard in the capital Dhaka on Saturday as the transport operators kept their vehicles off the streets against the backdrop of increased fuel oil prices.

Business Insider Bangladesh visitied a number of places across the capital including Gabtoli, Kalyanpur, Mohammadpur, Farmgate, Banglamotor, Motijheel and Paltan area and found that only a few buses were plying and riders were racing to board. Even if they got in, they were sardined.

Commuters, especially office-goers were seen travelling standing inside buses or hanging at the door, risking their lives.

After being failed to get on a bus, Shadman, a private sector employee, said that he reaches his workplace at Kawranbazar on foot from Rairbazar

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division last night increased diesel and kerosene prices by Tk34 per litre to Tk114 and octane and petrol prices by Tk46 per litre to Tk135 and the new rate took effect at midnight on Saturday.

The government hiked the fuel oil price at a time when oil prices in the international market are on a downward trend.

While talking to the reporter at Khamarbari intersection, a ticket checker of Dishari Paribahan, said at least 60 buses run on the route per day but only 10 buses are plying today.

The ticket checker wishing not to be named said the government has increased oil price without settling fares.

Oil is not available as many petrol pump owners have already suspended selling fuel oil and it may lead to a chaotic situation unless the government fixes the bus fare by today (Saturday), he said.

Besides, Abu Sadique, a passenger of Tanjil Paribahan, told the reporter that excess fare was taken from him.

The helper of the bus was seen announcing that the passengers who intend to reach Gulistan will have to pay Tk 40, but the fare was Tk 25 a day ago.

Besides in an instant reaction, Mamun Rashid, an economic analyst, said that the move will fuel inflation big time and force more people to go below the poverty line.

Nagad
Walton