Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Monday dismissed the possibility of transport fare hikes, asserting that sufficient fuel is being supplied to public transport ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday rush.
He made the remarks while addressing a press briefing following an inspection of the Mohakhali Bus Terminal and the inauguration of a new women's washroom facility at the terminal.
"Adequate fuel is being provided to all long-haul buses. There will be no crisis in public transport during the Eid journey," the minister stated. "Therefore, there is absolutely no scope for increasing fares by using a fuel crisis as an excuse."
During his visit to the terminal, the minister noted that transport operators were largely adhering to the government-fixed fare charts.
"From what I have observed at Mohakhali, no one is charging above the set rates. In fact, many are transporting passengers at rates lower than those fixed by the government," he said.
He added that the terminal was maintaining discipline, with buses entering and departing for their respective destinations in an orderly fashion.
State Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Habibur Rashid, and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) administrator, Md Shafiqul Islam Khan, were also present during the briefing.