CAB describes bus fare hike proposal as unjust, unacceptable

The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has described the recommendation to hike bus fare by 80 per cent as unjust and unacceptable.

Besides, CAB suggested providing incentives or subsidy and bank-loans at low interest rate for the public transport sector so that the owners can avoid losses amid the coronavirus pandemic.

CAB made the demands through a press release signed by its President Golam Rahman on Saturday, reports UNB.

The association said when most of the people have been struggling for more than two months without any income source, there’s no reason to impose extra fare on passengers to reimburse the transport owners.

Earlier, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) recommended raising bus fare by 80 percent as bus owners have been directed to carry 50 per cent passengers to prevent the transmission of coronavirus.

Mentioning the lower fuel price in the world market, CAB said there will be no need to hike the bus fare if the fuel price in the local market is adjusted to that of the world market.

The association also thanked the authorities concerned for their decision for not raising fare on rail and river routes.