Eid travel: Bus passengers suffer as schedules collapse due to jams on highways
Visiting the bus counters at Kallyanpur, Gabtoli, Mohakhali terminals in the capital, many passengers were seen waiting for hours for the buses to arrive
Hundreds of Eid travellers suffered today (6 June) as their journeys were delayed by hours amid massive disruption of long-haul bus schedules due to traffic gridlocks on highways.
Visiting the bus counters at Kallyanpur, Gabtoli, Mohakhali terminals in the capital, many passengers were seen waiting for hours for the buses to arrive after trips to various districts.
A passenger at Kalyanpur Bus Stand, Mohammad Shamik, told The Business Standard that his bus was scheduled to leave at 8am, but it had yet to arrive at the counter as of 4pm.
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He said due to the extended Eid holidays this time, the pressure on public transportations has increased, subsequently causing traffic jams on highways.
A passenger of Royel Paribahan at Gabtoli terminal, Enamul, told TBS that his bus was scheduled to start for Chuadanga at 2:30pm, but he was informed by the counter at 4pm that it would take another two hours.
Swapan Chandra Das, in-charge of the Gabtoli ticket counter of Shyamoli NR Travels, acknowledges the delay. "The bus which was supposed to return to the counter at 6am, arrived at 11am."
He explained that previously, buses used to return to Gabtoli via the Technical Road, but now they have to arrive via Shyamoli. "Yesterday, it took three hours for our buses to arrive at Gabtoli even after returning to Dhaka."
Alamgir Hossain, a passenger of Grameen Travels, shared with TBS that he failed to start the journey on time as the bus arrived after a seven-hour delay. "The bus was scheduled to leave for Chapainawabganj at 8am, but it arrived at the counter at 3pm."
Mohammad Jewel, ticket master of Grameen Travels, told TBS that the congestion of cattle-laden trucks was higher this year on the highway.
"Normally, it is a seven-hour journey to reach Dhaka from Chapainawabganj, but now it takes 15 to 16 hours."
He said it took approximately one and a half hours for the Northern district-buses only to cross the toll line on the Jamuna Bridge.
At the Mohakhali Bus Terminal, there was a long queue at the United Transport counter for tickets. Passengers were buying tickets to go to Mymensingh.
Mohammad Raju has been waiting for bus for three hours after buying a ticket from United Transport. He said, "We have no idea when the bus will arrive. The counter just keeps saying that the vehicle is on its way."
Pointing to his daughter Roshmi, he added, "It's extremely difficult to wait like this with such a small child. We don't know when the bus will come or when we'll reach home."
