Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has proposed to the reverine transports to carry 50 per cent passengers of their capacity as Covid-19 situation has worsened in the country.
BIWTA also sent recommendations to the Shipping Ministry to increase launch fare by 60 per cent in the current Coronavirus pandemic situation.
The decision was taken after the Prime Minister’s Office issued an 18-point guidelines on Monday aiming at containing the rising trend of Coronavirus cases.
In a meeting held on Wednesday in the conference room of the Shipping Ministry, the operators gave the proposal of fare hike. The meeting was chaired by the State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.
Currently fare rate of a passenger per kilometre is Tk 1.70 for up to 100 kilometres and Tk 1.40 per kilo over 100 kilometres.
The lowest fare per passenger on launches is Tk 18.
BIWTA Chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq confirmed the recommendation of a 60 per cent increase in fare.
As per their recommendations, the fare for carrying a passenger per kilometre will be Tk 2.72 for up to 100 kilometres and Tk 2.24 for more than 100 kilometres.
The lowest fare per passenger on launches will be Tk 28.80, he said.
