Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Mia has suspended the increased bus fares on the Dhaka–Narayanganj route following widespread public outrage.
The decision was announced on the DC’s official Facebook page on Friday morning. A post made at 10:33 a.m. read: “For unavoidable reasons, the decision taken on 20 August regarding the fare hike of Bondhon and Utsab Paribahan is hereby suspended. The fare on the Dhaka–Narayanganj route will remain unchanged.”
The non-AC bus fare on the route was Tk 50, but on 20 August, a meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner at his office raised the fare by Tk 5 to Tk 55. The move sparked an angry backlash on social media, followed by street protests. On 21 August, ‘Narayanganjer Chhatra Janata’ organised a human chain in front of Narayanganj Press Club to protest the fare hike.
Passengers’ Rights Protection Forum, Ganasanghati Andolon and several other groups also announced programmes for Friday and Saturday against the increased fares. In addition, Narayanganj Nagorik Committee, Communist Party and Basad issued separate statements condemning the decision.
The suspension comes after growing pressure from commuters and civic groups who said the fare increase was unjustified amid rising living costs.