Bangladesh
Launch Fare Launch owners' association wants to double fare to tackle rising fuel prices
Dhaka, November 6: The launch owners' association has demanded that the launch fare be doubled due to the increase in fuel prices. The owners' proposal to increase the launch fare has been sent in a letter to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). On Friday (November 5), the Bangladesh Inland Navigation sent a letter to the BIWTA chairman proposing a fare hike.
The letter, signed by Mahbub Uddin Ahmed (Bir Bikram) of the Inland Navigation, said the agency had repeatedly appealed to the Ministry of Shipping and your department to increase fares for passenger launches but no action had been taken. The committee formed to formulate a proposal for fixing the rent on November 8 called a meeting. But on November 3, the government suddenly announced an increase in the price of fuel oil and diesel by Tk 15 per liter and directed to implement it from midnight on that day.
"In this situation the cost of operating the ship increases manifold. For good reason, launch owners across the country have requested the company to increase passenger fares. Otherwise, they expressed inability to operate the ship."
An emergency meeting was held at the agency's central office with launch owners across the country on Friday afternoon to discuss what to do in the wake of rising oil prices.
The letter said, "At one stage of the meeting, we talked to you on mobile about the fare increase. As per your promise, the owners are informed of your decision regarding the increase in fare by noon tomorrow, November 6. You ask me to send our offer over the same phonecall."
