Half bus fares for students in all metropolitan cities from 11 Dec
Despite announcing to increase the coverage of half fares on buses, the owners say the facility will be available on working days only
Public buses in all metropolitan cities will take half fares from students from 11 December, according to the Bangladesh Transport Owners Association.
Khandaker Enayet Ullah, secretary general of the association, came up with the announcement at a press conference at Chattogram Press Club Sunday, urging the protesting students to return to their classes.
"Students had been protesting for a long-time demanding half fare on public buses. To respect the demand, we took the decision," he told the press conference.
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The transport leader, however, added that students will be able to avail the facility from 7:00am to 8:00pm every day except the weekends, weekly holidays and seasonal vacation of educational institutions. On those holidays, students will be charged full fares.
While travelling, pupils will have to show their valid ID cards to avail the facility.
"I hope the students will return to the educational institutions now," Enayet Ullah said.
While replying to a query if students outside the metropolitan cities will be able to pay half fares, the transport leader said there was no decision or discussion in this regard.
On 3 November, the government raised fuel prices by Tk15 per litre, prompting transport owners to enforce an indefinite strike in the country, demanding a hike in bus fares.
Later, the government raised the fares of city services and long-haul buses by more than 25%.
Following the fare hike, students started demonstrating in Dhaka, demanding half fares on all public transports across the country. The movement took a new turn as two students were killed in separate road accidents in the last week of November in Dhaka.
The protestors added a "safe road demand" with the half-pass demo. In the face of an increasing protest, bus owners announced half fares for students in Dhaka from 1 December.
Rejecting the announcement, students vowed to continue the protest demanding half fares across the country and round the clock. They have also been taking to the street to press home the safe road demand.
