Ever since the new bus fares came into effect, bus conductors have been misbehaving with any passenger who was vocal against being forced to pay more than the government-fixed rate, commuters in Dhaka have told a public hearing.
There have even been occasions when bus drivers and conductors went as far as physically assaulting their passengers, agitated commuters told the hearing organised by Bangladesh Passengers’ Welfare Association (BPWA) at the capital’s Farmgate yesterday.
Passengers also claimed that most bus operators have been providing poor services with run-down buses and uncomfortable seats.
The revised fares for CNG-run buses and minibuses in the cities of Dhaka and Chittagong, along with several other districts, came into effect on October 1.
According to the new rates, bus passengers have to pay Tk1.70 for each kilometre of travel instead of the existing Tk1.60, while minibus fares are now Tk1.60 per kilometre from the existing Tk1.50.
After the hearing, columnist Syed Abul Maksud, also chief adviser for the BPWA, said the government has protected the interest of bus operators by increasing the fare.
It was now the government’s duty to monitor that the new rates were being properly implemented and ensuring that passengers were having comfortable journeys, he added.
Among others, Communist Party of Bangladesh leader Ruhin Hossain Prince, and BPWA Secretary General Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury also spoke at the hearing.