Md. Palash Tushar Pathan, Reporter || Bus fares on intercity routes and in Dhaka and other cities will increase by Tk 0.17 per kilometre following a rise in fuel prices, a decision taken at a meeting of the Road Transport Ministry on Tuesday.The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) had proposed on Monday that fares be increased by Tk 0.20 per kilometre for intercity buses and Tk 0.18 per kilometre for city services.However, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, lawmaker from Pabna-5 and chief coordinator of the central committee of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, said the authorities decided to keep the increase at Tk 0.17 per kilometre in consideration of public interest.According to the government calculation, the fare would increase by Tk 0.20. But considering public interest, it was decided to charge Tk 0.03 less. So the increase will be Tk 0.17 per kilometre, he said.He said bus owners would sit with BRTA to finalise the matter and sign an agreement. The Tk 0.03 reduction from the proposed increase will apply to all routes at the metropolitan and district levels. A gazette notification could be issued today, he added.Even a one-paisa increase in fare puts an additional burden on the public, Shimul Biswas said. If anyone has already raised fares before the decision was finalised, the owners’ association will take disciplinary action. The matter will also be monitored by the administration and the association.Previous fare hikeIn April, diesel prices were increased by Tk 15 per litre, following which bus fares were raised by Tk 0.11 per kilometre.Before the latest adjustment, bus fares in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas stood at Tk 2.53 per kilometre, while the fare for minibuses was Tk 2.42 per kilometre.On intercity routes, the fare for a 52-seat bus was Tk 2.23 per kilometre.However, many non-AC intercity buses now operate with reduced seating capacity, with seats cut to 40 or fewer. Fares on these buses are comparatively higher, while bridge and road tolls are also added to the cost. With the latest decision to raise fares by Tk 0.17 per kilometre, fares for both intercity and city bus services will be revised accordingly.