Jatri Kalyan Samity demands end to overcharging, harassment during Eid travel
Although the government has pledged strict action against excessive fare collection various categories of buses and launches continue to charge passengers extra through different means
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS) has called for an immediate end to excessive fare and passenger harassment during Eid travel.
The organisation issued a statement today (23 March), highlighting the alarming rise in extra fare charges across road, river, and air routes.
Despite government promises to take action against unfair fare practices, BJKS reports that transport providers continue to exploit passengers.
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The statement points out that although vigilance teams have been established by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), these teams consist predominantly of transport owners, with no representation from passenger rights groups.
Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, secretary general of BJKS, criticised the failure of the vigilance teams to address fare hikes, especially on long-distance buses and launches. He noted that while extortion on roads has reportedly decreased, the fares have not been adjusted accordingly, thus depriving passengers of any benefits.
Travellers on AC and non-AC buses from Dhaka to northern districts are facing additional charges ranging from Tk300 to Tk1,500, while bus fares from Chattogram to the northern region have reportedly doubled.
Other areas affected include Cumilla, Noakhali, Feni, Bogura, Naogaon, Panchagarh, and Thakurgaon, where passengers are also being charged extra.
At Dhaka's Sadarghat launch terminal, advance Eid tickets for southern district routes are being sold at inflated prices, while airfares for domestic flights, such as Dhaka-Syedpur, Dhaka-Cox's Bazar, and Dhaka-Chattogram, have also soared.
BJKS has called on the authorities to act swiftly to curb these fare irregularities and ensure a smoother and more affordable journey for all passengers during the festive season.
