The government of Bangladesh has decided to withdraw the fuel rationing system imposed on public transport, with authorities assuring that buses and long-distance vehicles will receive sufficient fuel to continue operating normally.
Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Shaikh Rabiul Alam made the announcement on Saturday during a visit to the Gulistan area in Dhaka.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said the government had decided to remove the restrictions previously placed on fuel allocation for public transport.
According to him, the limits that required buses and long-distance vehicles to operate with a fixed quantity of fuel will no longer apply.
He explained that from Saturday night onward, public buses and inter-district transport services will be able to collect fuel without the earlier rationing mechanism. The move aims to ensure that passenger transport services continue running smoothly across the country and that commuters do not face unnecessary disruptions.
“Public transport is an essential service for millions of people,” the minister said, adding that the government is committed to ensuring that vehicles operating on city routes and long-distance highways receive adequate fuel to maintain normal schedules.
However, Shaikh Rabiul Alam acknowledged that the country’s fuel supply system has recently faced challenges due to international developments.
He pointed out that ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel and the United States have created volatility in global energy markets.
These developments, he said, have affected supply chains and fuel availability in many countries, including Bangladesh. Despite the external pressures, the government is working to stabilise the domestic fuel distribution system so that transport operations and other key sectors are not severely disrupted.
The minister expressed confidence that the decision to lift rationing for buses and long-distance vehicles would help restore stability to the transport sector and ensure uninterrupted mobility for passengers nationwide.
