BRTA fines 13 buses in Ctg for overcharging passengers

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has filed 13 cases and fined public buses a total of Tk35,550 for allegedly charging passengers fares above the prescribed rates on Route No 3 in Chattogram city.

The mobile court operation was conducted today (23 August) in the city's Kazir Dewri, CRB and Ambagan areas, led by Fahmida Mustafa, executive magistrate of BRTA Chattogram Metro-2 and District Circle offices.

"Based on complaints that buses on Route No 3 were charging passengers more than the prescribed fare, we conducted the drive. Evidence of overcharging and other irregularities was found, resulting in 13 cases and Tk35,550 in fines," Fahmida Mustafa told TBS.

She said one driver claimed passengers were voluntarily paying Tk2-Tk5 extra, but passengers denied this and almost all complained of being charged higher fares.

The mobile court also checked vehicle fitness certificates, route permits, driving licences and other required documents.

Public transport drivers, however, blamed the gas shortage for the practice. They said filling stations often fail to supply enough gas, forcing them to wait for hours and reducing the number of trips they can make. As drivers still have to pay owners the agreed amount, some resort to charging passengers extra, they claimed.

"There is no scope to charge passengers extra citing the gas shortage. Owners and drivers can discuss such problems among themselves, but the burden cannot be passed on to passengers," Fahmida said.

She added that the government had issued no instruction allowing transport operators to charge fares above the prescribed rates.

Mohammad Shahjahan, secretary general of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, also said the organisation had issued no directive to increase fares.

"Drivers have to wait for hours for gas, so some are charging extra on their own initiative. But the organisation has given no instruction to collect additional fares," he told TBS.

During the drive, BRTA officials also monitored drivers' conduct, their treatment of passengers and overall discipline in public transport. A transport owner and driver were ordered to appear before the BRTA court to explain irregularities found during the operation.

Fahmida said complaints of passenger harassment and overcharging were being taken seriously and warned that action would be taken if such violations were established.

BRTA data show that the highest number of cases–133–were filed in Chattogram in June this year, while 29 vehicles were sent to dumping facilities during the month.

From May to July, BRTA conducted 68 mobile court operations across the city, filing 336 cases and collecting Tk7.99 lakh in fines.

BRTA officials said similar drives would be conducted on other city routes if complaints of overcharging or other irregularities are received.