Some bus operators in Dhaka have already raised fares while most are to do so in a couple of days as the new rates, fixed by the government in line with the recent hike in the price of compressed natural gas (CNG) and announced on September 10, came into effect yesterday.

United Paribahan, running between Mirpur and Sadarghat, announced charging the new rates from Sunday, a commuter, Nazmul Haque, told The Daily Star.

From Mirpur-10 to Farmgate, they will charge Tk 14 instead of the previous Tk 12, he added.

A Bihongo Paribahan staff said as per the owners' directive, the new rates would be charged from today when travelling on its route, from Pallabi to Sadarghat, would cost Tk 30, an increase by Tk 5.

Another of FTCL Transport said they too would raise fares from today and passengers going from Motijheel to Mohammadpur would have to spend Tk 5 more and pay Tk 25 as the fare.

Moniruzzaman is one of the few passengers who had to pay more. One of the some 24 passengers and bus staff this correspondent talked to, he said ETC Paribahan charged Tk 10 yesterday instead of the previous Tk 8 as fare from the Paltan intersection to Farmgate.

A new chart is visible on the windows of Borak Paribahan's buses, plying the Narayanganj-Gulistan route, saying fares will be increased in a day or two, said a commuter, Mahmudur Rahman.

However, staff of some local buses apprehend frequent disagreements with passengers over the increased fares while the latter overcharging.

"We charge Tk 30 to go from Sadarghat to Gabtoli. But passengers want to pay less. If, we demand increased fares, passengers will go berserk," said Ramzan Miah, driver of a local No 7 bus.

The new rate says per kilometre fare for buses is Tk 1.70 instead of the previous Tk 1.60 while for minibuses it is Tk 1.60 instead of Tk 1.50.