The Bangladesh government has decided to reduce fares of the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporations (BRTC) buses by fifty percent for students who had been protesting the recent hike for weeks now. The move came after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina intervened in the matter amid continued country-wide protests. 

A few weeks back the government had raised prices for petroleum and fares for the buses, drawing the ire from transporters and students. The hike came after global prices for fuel continued soaring, putting state-owned oil firms and other companies under heavy pressure. 

Students in major cities mostly use BRTC buses to commute to their colleges. The hike in bus fare--which came after persistent lobbying from transporters--prompted them to call a strike for the rollback. 

Obaidul Quader, Cabinet minister for road transport and bridges, told BDNews24 that the decision had been taken with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's approval and the new rate would be in effect from 1 December. 

"This is the government of the people,” he said, adding, “We give the highest priority to any demand that is close to them and is logical."

Earlier this month the Bangladesh Road Transport Owner Association had gone on a nationwide strike, demanding a fare hike. The strike-- which went on for three days - derailed normal life, forcing the government to increase the rates. 

The government later announced an increase of almost 27 percent in bus fares. 

(SAM)