Happy day for rickshaw-, van-pullers!
As the nationwide transport strike continues causing immense sufferings to commuters, rickshaw and van-pullers seem to have benefitted from the situation.
It's a happy day for Monirul, one of the many rickshaw-van pullers in the capital.
A group of five men hired him to take them from Matsya Bhaban in Segunbagicha to Farmgate in exchange for Tk60 each. He made Tk300 in less than an hour on Wednesday afternoon.
Now, he was ready to take a bigger chunk home. On usual days, he makes Tk500 after toiling for 10 hours. But today, he has already made Tk600 before it was noon.
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As the nationwide transport strike continues causing immense sufferings to commuters, rickshaw and van-pullers seem to have benefitted from the situation.
Meanwhile, CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers said they did not gain much as commuters opted for rickshaw and vans.
"Commuters take ride-sharing services over us", they said, rejecting allegations of charging extra on strike and rainy days.
Many commuters were also walking by the sidewalks and some opted to hire rickshaw-van to reach their destinations.
Some people also complained that ride-sharing services have hiked their prices amid the transport strike.
Many people were seen at Shahbagh, Banglamotor, Karwanbazar intersections waiting for a bus.
"It's always the commuters who have to suffer during strikes," said private job-holder Alamin. He has been waiting at Banglamotor intersection for over 20 minutes to board a bus, but failed.
He was waiting to board a bus to Banani and could not get in as all the buses were packed with passengers.
Many others, mostly women were also standing on the sidewalks along with Alamin, clueless about how to reach their destinations.
After a long wait, a woman walked a few paces to hop on a rickshaw. The young woman, who wanted to go to FDC-Hatirjheel intersection from Banglamotor said, she was shocked by the sudden hike of rickshaw fare.
"I asked at least four rickshaw-pullers and they all demanded a much higher price than usual," Sadia, a medical student said.
She said while the usual rush hour rickshaw fare ranges from Banglamotor to FDC is Tk35 to Tk40, this afternoon they are asking for Tk50 or more.
"They know we are in trouble as buses are not plying, hence this price hike," she commented.
Transport workers have enforced an indefinite strike demanding an amendment to the Road Transport Act 2018.
