Previous fare on public transport from today.The pre-conditional corona fare is being implemented in public transport from Tuesday, September 01. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said this at a virtual meeting with BRTA Dhaka Zone officials on August 29. The BRTA has also issued a notification to the media regarding the return of the previous rent. It mentions some conditions for returning to the former rent. The conditions are that passengers cannot be carried in excess of the number of seats, passengers, drivers, supervisors, conductors, helpers and ticket sellers on public transport must wear masks, soap, water and hand sanitizer must be provided for washing their hands. At the beginning and end of the journey, the bus-minibus should be cleaned and disinfected with the disinfectant. In addition, the handbags and luggage of the passengers should be disinfected by spraying disinfectant. And other necessary hygiene issues must be complied with.
On August 19, the BRTA authorities met with bus owners and labor leaders and decided to return to the previous fare during the Corona period. The recommendation of that meeting was sent to the cabinet. Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, public transport was stopped from March 26. Later, it was decided to run public transport in accordance with the hygiene rules, including carrying half the passengers in all the buses. The bus owners demanded 60 percent fare hike to carry half the passengers in compliance with the health rules. The government issued a notification on May 31 to increase the rent by 60 percent. Conditional public transport was introduced from June 01. However, due to non-compliance with the conditions, there was a demand from various quarters to withdraw the increased rent. In response to the owner’s demand for ‘as many seats as there are passengers’, the government decided to make the pre-conditional corona situation. The decision to return to the former fare on public transport will be effective from today.
BRTA Director (Enforcement) Khandaker Oliur Rahman told if there was any supervision on the condition of public transport, “We have already conveyed the news to our officials in all the districts. Meetings are going on with the executive magistrates. We will be on the ground to monitor the situation. Our chairman will also be on the field.”
News Room, September 01,2020