Launch fares increase by 25-45 pc
Our Correspondent, Barisal
The state owned Bangladesh Inland Water Transports Corporation (BIWTC) has increased fares on different river and coastal routes. The increased rates ranging from 25 to 45 per cent have been effective from Saturday, BIWTC sources said. Defending the fa re enhancement, Khalid Newaz, Barisal Station Manager of BIWTC, said this was necessary due to price hike of fuel. Fares and freights were not increased in last four years though fuel prices rose substantially during the period, he said. The enhancement has been made to recover the losses, he said. He however said the enhanced fares are still much lower than that charged by private water transport companies. According to BIWTC sources, a third class ticket in Rocket steamer service on Barisal-Dhaka route now costs Tk 80 against Tk 55 earlier, on Barisal-Chandpur route Tk 50 in place of Tk 35 and on Barisal-Khulna route Tk 100 against Tk 75. Fare of BIWTC sea truck service on Barisal-Patarhut has been increased to Tk 75 from Tk 60 and on Barisal-Maju Chowdhurirhut to Tk 125 from Tk 100.
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