30-60 pc fare hike in Barisal

They are continuing this for about a week on the nose of law enforcers.

Launch tickets are available in the black market, not at counters, many passengers alleged while talking to this correspondent yesterday.

According to sources, 224 launches ply 28 major routes from Barisal daily. One way launch fare to Dhaka from Barisal is Tk 50 to Tk 80 on deck, Tk 300 for non-AC single cabin and Tk 500 for double cabin. Extra taka one hundred was charged for AC cabins.

But launches are now realising Tk 100 for deck, Tk 600 for non-AC single cabin and and Tk 900 for double cabin.

When approached for advance ticket, officials at counters at launch the launch terminal say those are sold. But those are available in the black market.

At least 112 launches ply routes from Dhaka to different areas in Barisal region daily.

There are at least 30 cabins in a launch. During Eid, launched usually ply overloaded, carrying at least 2000 passengers each.

Some sources estimated that the launch owners will earn at least Tk 1. 12 core on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr by increasing fares.

But Launch owners claimed that the fares they are charging are less than those fixed by government, which is Tk 123 for deck and four times more for single cabin.

Bus owners are also realising fares more than usual in different routes, passengers said.