Takeovers, seizures reign in transport sector after AL's fall

With the change of government, bus services and terminals across the country that were controlled by former ruling party's men are being taken over by BNP leaders and activists, transport workers have alleged. 

Ena Paribahan and its owner Khandaker Enayet Ullah exemplify this shift. For the past 15 years, Ena was the only direct bus service operating on the lucrative Dhaka-Mymensingh route. 

Transport workers alleged that Enayet Ullah, former secretary-general of the Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Malik Samity and a leader of the Awami League, wielded such influence that no other transport company could compete on the route.

After the Awami League government's downfall on 5 August, Ena services were halted, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.

While Enayet Ullah owned the company, several buses under the Ena banner were owned by other individuals. Due to passenger demand, these buses are now operating under the banner of United Paribahan, owned by a BNP leader.

Other transport owners, who previously worked with bus companies under Awami League leaders, are now interested in operating under BNP men's companies, according to transport workers. 

Besides, BNP men owned transport companies, which had been shut down for the past 15 years, are also preparing to resume operations.

With this change in leadership, there have been no reports of extortion at Dhaka's terminals as of Saturday, though allegations of extortion have emerged in several districts.

The new leadership of the Transport Owners' Association said they aim to end disorder and extortion in the sector and ensure a passenger-friendly service.

Terminals and extortion 

Most Awami League leaders who previously controlled the capital's bus terminals are now in hiding or have fled, and BNP leaders are stepping in to fill the void.

Kafil Uddin, owner of Hanif Paribahan and a BNP leader from Aminbazar, is alleged to have taken control of the Gabtoli terminal in Dhaka. 

He said, "I haven't seized the terminal or the owners' association. I have merely halted all extortion activities at Gabtoli and worked to ensure that no other extortionists enter, bringing discipline back to the sector."

Sources said BNP leaders Akhraruzzaman Babul, Zahid Al Latif Khoka, Tanbir Rana, and others have taken over the Sayedabad and Jatrabari terminals. The Gulistan stand is now under the control of BNP leader Alamgir Kabir.

Although no one has taken control of the Mohakhali terminal yet, sources said it will be seized at any time.

Alamgir Kabir said disorder broke out at the Gulistan-Fulbaria stand after the government fell. "We stepped in to manage the stand and ensure order and proper service for passengers."

Latif Khoka said the previous Awami League-led committee fled, leaving the terminal unguarded. "We took responsibility to prevent corrupt middlemen from taking over and bringing back extortion."

Terminals outside Dhaka

According to bus owners in Khulna city, BNP supporters seized control of Sonadanga bus terminal after 5 August, of the terminal and started operating under a new association.

Robiul Karim, general secretary of the new association, said the rightful owners were ousted 15 years ago and the terminal was politically controlled. They used to collect around TK500 per bus.

"However, we are now taking Tk100 to Tk150 per bus because there are significant operational costs involved in running the terminal," he said.

At the Gournadi bus terminal in Barishal, several transport workers said BNP activists, identifying themselves as followers of BNP leader Zahir Uddin Swapan, took over the terminal and market on the morning of 6 August and started collecting extortion money.

Swapan could not be reached by phone regarding the allegations, and he did not respond to messages sent via WhatsApp.

In Barishal city, the key Rupatali and Nathullabad bus terminals have been taken over by senior BNP leaders. Zia Uddin Sikdar, the member secretary of the metropolitan BNP, has dissolved the three-year committee at the Rupatali bus terminal and formed a new one under his leadership.

Bus owners have reported that despite the change in government, extortion at the bus terminals has not stopped. Led by an individual named Nati Kalam, extortion continues from every bus.

Workers said that from the 101 buses under the Rupatali Bus Owners' Association, around Tk20,000 to Tk22,000 is collected daily.

Following the government's fall, BNP-affiliated owners and workers have also allegedly taken control of the transport sector in Rajshahi.

A bus owner in Rajshahi, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "For so long, Awami League leaders looted the transport sector. Now BNP-affiliated owners have taken over to do the same. We have to pay Tk100 to Tk150 in extortion for each trip, and with Tk250 to Tk300 trips daily, it adds up." 

Promises extortion free sector

SM Ahmed Khokon, joint-convener of the new committee of Transport Owners' Association, told TBS that they have already stopped extortion at all terminals in the capital and imposed a ban outside the city as well. 

Any further extortion will be met with strict punishment, he said, adding that eliminating extortion will reduce operational costs by 60%-70% per bus. 

Committee convener Md Saiful Alam announced various reforms at a press conference on Saturday. He outlined plans to address illegal parking, improve the condition and environment of Dhaka City Service, and control other forms of indiscipline. Separate committees will be formed to address these issues.

Additionally, the committee formed on 14 August decided in its first meeting to eliminate extortion, create a business-friendly environment, and develop a passenger-friendly road management system. 

They also committed to enhancing passenger safety, reducing road accidents, and providing counselling and motivation sessions for workers at all terminals. 

TBS district correspondents Awal Sheikh (Khulna), Syed Mehedi Hasan (Barishal), Bulbul Haibib (Rajshahi) contributed to this story.