Eid-ul-Fitr travel chaos spikes Bangladesh bus fares by 100% or more

Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in Bangladesh have again brought sharp rises in bus fares, with increases of 50-100% or more on many routes. The surge far exceeds typical hikes seen during Eid-ul-Adha and Ramadan, as millions rush to return home after the fasting month. Officials warn that unchecked overcharging could push up prices of essential goods and fuel further exploitation.

Fares on major routes like Dhaka-Pabna and Dhaka-Natore have more than doubled this year. In 2023 alone, some passengers faced a 67% increase, far beyond the usual 30-60% rise during Eid-ul-Adha or the modest 10-20% during Ramadan. The spike stems from overwhelming demand, with many willing to pay extra to secure a seat.

Local buses and even trucks are taking advantage of the situation by charging inflated rates. Many passengers, unaware of official fares, end up paying far more than they should. Transport operators are also forcing travellers to buy tickets for longer distances due to seat shortages. The Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity reports that 87% of buses and minibuses are ignoring fare regulations. Excess charges on long-distance routes could total around Tk 122 crore, while city services may see an extra Tk 26 crore in overpayments. In total, passengers might pay Tk 148 crore above official rates during the Eid holidays. The group has urged authorities to introduce digital fare collection and CCTV monitoring to curb the problem. Despite fare structures already accounting for staff salaries and bonuses, many operators fail to pay workers properly.

The fare hikes risk triggering wider price increases for essential goods and encouraging extortion. With millions travelling, the financial burden on passengers remains heavy unless stricter enforcement is put in place. Authorities face pressure to act before the situation worsens in future holidays.