Fare dispute, gas shortage halt buses on Ctg's New Market–Fatehabad route
Passengers allege fares have risen from Tk5-10 to as much as Tk30.
Highlights:
- Commuters forced to use rickshaws and CNG at higher costs
- Passengers allege being dropped off before their destinations
- Drivers say hours-long queues for gas are reducing their daily trips
- Drivers also cite rising living costs and fixed owner deposits as reasons for high fares
- Human hauler fares were last fixed in 2011 and have not been revised
- Transport owners to discuss fare demands with BRTA
- BRTA denies imposing fines for trivial reasons during mobile court drives
Public transport on Chattogram's Route 3 (New Market–Fatehabad) has remained suspended since this morning (3 September) following a dispute between drivers and passengers over fare hikes, with drivers citing the ongoing gas shortage as a key reason behind their demand for higher fares.
The suspension has caused significant hardship for commuters, many of whom have been forced to take rickshaws and CNG-run auto-rickshaws at higher fares to reach workplaces, hospitals and other destinations.
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Passengers alleged that drivers were dropping them off before their designated destinations, forcing them to change vehicles multiple times to reach their destinations.
They also claimed that fares previously charged at Tk5 and Tk10 had been raised to Tk10 and as much as Tk30, respectively.
Drivers, however, said the gas shortage was forcing them to spend hours waiting in queues at filling stations. This has reduced the number of trips they can make during their working hours, while they still have to pay daily deposits to vehicle owners, they said.
A driver said the fare for getting on and off the vehicle had remained at Tk5 for the past six to seven years despite rising living costs.
"It is difficult to support a family with an income of Tk500 a day. Considering the current cost of living, the fare issue for drivers should be reconsidered," he said.
Mohammad Shahjahan, joint general secretary of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, said the human haulers operating on Route 3 are classified as "Chha" category vehicles.
He said fares for human haulers were last fixed in 2011 and had not been revised since then.
"Drivers are facing difficulties operating these vehicles amid the current gas crisis," he said.
Shahjahan also alleged that buses were being fined during various drives for minor offences.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), however, denied the allegation.
Fahmida Mustafa, executive magistrate of BRTA Chattogram, said the mobile courts conduct drives in the public interest and do not impose fines for trivial reasons.
"Our mobile courts are always conducted in the public interest. No fine has been imposed for any trivial reason. We can provide details if you want to know the specific reasons," she said.
Meanwhile, the transport owners' association said it would discuss the drivers' fare demands with the BRTA.
The association said the authorities should consider the drivers' demands in light of the current operating conditions and take a decision on whether fares should be revised.
