The inter district bus owners ate allegedly charging more fare than the government's fixed rate in different routes of the country.

According to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTAJ the govern man is fixed rates, set in the early 80s. are still 35 paisa per passenger per kilometer tai mini buses and 32 paisa in big liuses Tile rates are same in all routes across the country.

But in the backdrop of the government's negligence and In Ilie' name of free economy, the Bus Owners' Associations are fixing the fare according to th«r wishes. Virtually they are the sole authority in the fixation of bus fare In some interdistrict routes.

Sources In the BRTA said if any bus owner in any route of the country charges more than the fixed rate of fare, it will be quite illegal. But the bus owners are saying, as one owner puts it. that "we charge more fare because we provide extra facilities to the passengers.

"The government can not interferer with It as per open market economy." he said.

The leaders ol the Dhaka Chittagong Luxurious Bus and Chair Coach Owners Association said. "We have been operating luxury buses and chair coaches In this route since 1990. but the govern ment is not saying anything yet." They claim that the Communications Minister has given verbal approval of the operation of luxurious buses

The fare In the luxurious buses and chair coaches in this route is between Taka 125 and 230. which is much more than the government fixed rate. However, the local buses, which start from Saldabad Bus Terminal. Taka 70 to 80 is normally charged for a single ticket for Dhaka-Chittagong Journey.

Alhaj Alauddin. General Secretary of the Association, said "We fix fare of the luxurious buses and chair coaches on the basis of the cost of the car and facilities provided to the passengers' .

A Gafur. General Secretary of the Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners' Association. said This is the transit period for the overall development of the country’s transport sector. As

we have Introduced better services in Dhaka Chittagong route we have also the right to consider the fare . he added

Replying to a question whether they have got any approval ol the government, lie said. If the passengers could afford the fare preferring to travel by their buses, govern merit approval was not necessary. They have also route permits from the BRTA. he mentioned

"Because a luxurious bus starts from its own Counter. I always prefer to travel by it. Aniinul Islam, a businessman of Chittagong told The Daily Star Travelling from the city bus terminals, particularly from Saldabad. is not always safe for a gentleman'. he said

When asked about the government rate of the bus fare, he said. 1 do not know the rate fixed by the government.

According to the BRTA. about 3.788 buses and mini buses are plying on 152 routes across the country on commercial basis. The number of total registered buses and mini-buses tn the country is 28.584 up to 1993. It is learnt