Launch owners to temporarily hike fare by Tk20

Owners have decided to continue launch operations by increasing the fare by Tk20 temporarily. 

In that case, launches operating less than 100 km will charge passengers an additional Tk20 and an additional Tk10 for subsequent distances.

Badiuzzaman Badal, vice president of Bangladesh Inland Waterways Passenger Carrier Association (BIWPCA), confirmed the news to The Business Standard after a meeting of the owners this afternoon.

However, the additional fares will not be collected by force, he added.

He said, "The decision has been taken temporarily. The fare will be finalised after a meeting with Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) on 8 November."

Referring to the hike in diesel price by Tk15 per litre, Bangladesh Inland Waterways (Passenger carriers) Association has urged Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to raise the fares to stay afloat in business. 

After a meeting between launch owners, BIWTA has been requested to increase the additional fare to Tk3.40, up from Tk1.70, for up to 100km and Tk2.80 instead of Tk1.40 for the subsequent distance.