As approximately 16 million individuals from Dhaka and its outskirts prepare to journey to their hometowns for Eid festivities, they are faced with the staggering prospect of collectively shelling out an additional fare of Tk983.94 crore. This disconcerting revelation emerges from the latest findings by the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB), disclosed in a press release on Sunday.
Throughout April 3 to April 6, a dedicated sub-committee meticulously monitored the influx of extra fares in public transport, scrutinizing the overall Eid travel scenario encompassing road, rail, sea, and air routes departing from Dhaka.
Despite the presence of vigilant teams at various terminals, instances of certain bus operators and drivers resorting to overcharging persist, indicating a lax approach towards addressing these issues.
PWAB’s observations indicate that a vast majority of Eid travelers opt for sea routes, with an estimated 6 million individuals expected to journey via launch. The extra fare ranges from Tk50 to Tk800 per passenger, with an average of Tk200 per passenger amounting to a staggering Tk120 crore in additional revenue collected before Eid.
Furthermore, CNG-run auto-rickshaws in the capital are also capitalizing on the festive season, demanding an average extra fare of Tk200 per trip, resulting in a cumulative additional expenditure of more than Tk140 crore for an estimated 7 million passengers.
On long-distance routes originating from Dhaka, an average extra fare of Tk300 per passenger translates to an additional burden of Tk90 crore for approximately 3 million bus passengers.
Air travel is not exempt from these exorbitant additional charges, with PWAB highlighting instances where passengers are being charged up to three times the standard fare. This translates to an estimated Tk35 crore in additional expenses for passengers on domestic routes.
The situation is compounded at river ports, where an additional Tk140 crore is projected to be collected through dubious practices, further exacerbating the financial strain on travelers.
The PWAB underscores the urgent need for a smarter fare collection system in public transport to combat such exploitation. They emphasize the necessity of good governance to ensure compliance with regulations and alleviate the burdens faced by low-income individuals, while also curbing social unrest and corruption.
