Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has recommended increasing the fares of all buses, including, inter-district bus services, by 80 percent.

The recommendation was made at a meeting of the BRTA’s Expenditure Analysis Committee on Saturday where representatives of employers and workers were also present at the meeting.

BTRA made the recommendation as the vehicles are allowed to carry passengers on half of the total seats to maintain social distancing.

“Road, Transport and Bridges Ministry will take the final decision” BRTA acting Chairman Yunus Ali Molla said.

The government on Thursday issued a gazette notification allowing limited operation of public transport and offices from May 31 to June 15 amid the coronavirus outbreak.

It said public transports – buses, trains and vessels – will have to maintain health guidelines.

The notification also said that all government, semi-government and autonomous offices will resume under self-management but ailing staff and pregnant women have been asked to refrain from joining work.