Launch fares raised by 35% and 43%, strike called off

A government committee, led by Delwar Hossain, member of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), has fixed 35 percent hike in launch fare for a distance of less than 100 km, and 43 percent hike for more than 100 km.

An official of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) confirmed the development to The Daily Star.

According to the new fare, the launch fare till 100 km has been set Tk 2.30 per km, instead of earlier fare of Tk 1.70 per km.

The fare for more than 100 km has been fixed Tk 2 per km, instead of previous rate Tk 1.40.

The minimum fare for launches has been Tk 25, which was TK 18 earlier, said the official.

The decision came from a meeting at the headquarters of BIWTA in Dhaka today.

Representatives of launch owners and officials of shipping ministry, among others, were also present there.

The new fare will come into effect from tonight after issuing a gazette soon, BITWA chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq told The Daily Star.

Talking to the newspaper, Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, president Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passengers carries) Association, said the launch owners withdrew their strike and started operating vessels after the new fare has been set.

Yesterday, owners suspended launch operations across the country to press home their demands -- either call off the fuel price hike or increase launch fares.