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Metro-rail fare has been set at Tk 5.0 per kilometre per ride, more than double the bus fare and less than half the fare declared for auto-rickshaws.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the fare policy for Mass Rapid Transit Line-06 (MRT-06) on August 29 after its summary was placed for her review, according to official sources.
They said the PM did not make any change in the fares mooted by the MRT fare-fixing committee following the guideline of the affordability of commuters on the Uttara-Motijheel corridor.
However, some commuters reacted to the 'high' rates, but MRT project insiders said the rate is much lower than the costs estimated for operation over Tk 50-million running costs per day.
They argue that the fare will have to increase the government's rate of subsidy.
As per the approved fares, the MRT-06 ride from Uttara to Agargaon which is expected forinauguration by December will be Tk 60.
The entire 20.1 kilometre one way ride from Uttara to Motijheel will be Tk 100.
The minimum fare for riding the first-ever metro in the city is fixed at Tk 20 which is also exactly double than the minimum bus fare.
The BRTA recently fixed the bus fare at Tk 2.15 kilometre per person with minimum Tk 10.
The auto-rickshaw fare is Tk 12 per kilometre with minimum fare Tk 20 for first two kilometres.
Sources said the Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) will send the signed summary of the premier to the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) as per the MRT Act.
However, official sources said the committee would focus more on fixing other fares and concession.
"Although there is no such discount on MRT rides, the prime minister approved free ride by freedom fighters," said a source.
It is also learnt that the MRT pass-holders may also get 10-per cent discount which the DTCA committee will work further.
RTHD secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, however, said the DTCA would work on the MRT-approved fares and take action according to the law.
The MRT Act stipulates that the DTCA posts the fare chart on its website and publishes in national dailies to make people aware of the rates.
It will also take measures to ensure the chart be displayed at all MRT stations.
The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), formed under the DTCA, has been implementing the MRT-06 project to develop the first metro rail in the city's north and south corridor which will be extended up to Kamalapur station from Motijheel.
As the Tk 334.71-billion MRT project is progressing fast, the DTCA formed the seven-member fare-fixing committee in September 2020 to propose the rates.