Bus services on 6 routes from Barishal suspended amid owner groups' dispute

Bus services on at least six routes from Barishal have been suspended since this morning (9 March) following a dispute between two bus owners' associations, causing suffering for passengers.

According to sources, the suspension began after two staff members of a bus belonging to the Jhalakathi Bus Owners' Association were allegedly assaulted by Rupatoli Bus Owners' Association members at Rupatoli Bus Terminal yesterday evening (9 March).

The issue was supposed to be resolved through discussions between two associations. However, when talks failed, members of the Jhalakathi Bus Owners' Association withdrew their buses from the Rupatoli terminal this morning.

They later shifted their operations to a temporary terminal near the slope of the Kalijira Bridge, about five kilometres away, and continued operating services from there.

Sohag Howlader, general secretary of the Barishal Bus-Minibus Workers' Union, said a minor incident yesterday led the Jhalakathi group to move their buses from the Rupatoli terminal.

"They have long been trying to operate an illegal stand. They attempted it during the previous government as well and are still trying. Even trivial incidents are being used as excuses to remove their buses," he said.

He also alleged that buses leaving Rupatoli are not being allowed to enter Jhalakathi areas. "They are threatening drivers and workers, which is why buses on the Barishal–Jhalokathi, Bhandaria, Mathbaria, Patharghata, Pirojpur, Bagerhat and Khulna routes cannot operate," he added.

However, workers from Jhalakathi denied the allegations and instead accused leaders of the Rupatoli Bus Owners' Association of extortion, assault and theft.

Matiur Rahman, organising secretary of the Jhalakathi Workers' Union, said their workers were attacked without reason at Rupatoli.

"In reality, we are fed up with the extortion by leaders of the Rupatoli Bus Owners' Association. We have to pay Tk40 to enter the terminal. Another Tk10 is taken in the name of removing auto-rickshaws. Different leaders impose different charges," he alleged.

He also claimed that buses parked overnight at the terminal often face theft of batteries and fuel, leaving workers feeling insecure.

Meanwhile, Md Milon, vice-president of the Jhalakathi Workers' Union, said they have not completely stopped services considering passenger suffering.

"We have moved our buses to a place in Kalijira and are continuing to operate services from there so that passengers can still travel," he said.

The dispute between the two bus owners' groups has caused severe inconvenience for passengers.

Naznin, a student travelling to Bhandaria, said she arrived at the Rupatoli counters only to find them empty. "Bus services between Barishal and Jhalakathi are disrupted frequently. There needs to be a permanent solution," she said.

Another passenger, Mansur Howlader, said he needed to attend a relative's funeral in the afternoon but found bus services suspended.

"I heard buses are operating from Kalijira. Now I will have to spend extra money and face more trouble to reach there first and then travel. We have become helpless because of the bus owners' associations," he said.