Transport leaders protest BRTA decision to hike vehicle renewal fee

The leaders of Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van Owners' Association on Monday demanded that the BRTA decision to increase the renewal fee of vehicles, which was imposed on Sunday, be withdrawn.

In a press release, they said the decision to hike the fee without discussing with the stakeholders is unacceptable. The press release was signed by the organisation's acting general secretary Hossain Ahmed Mojumder.

It said the drivers and owners of vehicles have been going through difficult times, as the number of export and import goods has declined by a huge margin. As a result, many of them failed to renew their papers. In the midst of such a crisis, the authorities hiked the vehicle registration and other renewal fees.

They urged the government to cancel the decision as soon as possible.

The fee hike comes after the government issued the rules for Road Transport Act-2018, for which a gazette was published on December 27.

Fees for 75 services, like registering vehicles and issuance of fitness certificate, route permit, and driving licence, increased up to 233 percent.