Bus, train and water transport services have been struggling from a lack of passengers ever since they resumed operation on June 1.
All public transport services were suspended since March 28, throughout the 67-day lockdown imposed by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The lockdown was relaxed on June 1 with the aim of shifting to a zonal lockdown strategy, but the new strategy is yet to be implemented.
Owners and operators of public transport services said they have been facing huge losses since the resumption, as few people wish to travel on public transport in the current situation.
They demanded fare hikes and subsidies to continue operating.
Only 25% buses running on long routes, operations limited in Dhaka
Compared to before the pandemic, only 25% of buses are operating on long routes and 50% in Dhaka, according to the bus owners association.
People only travel on long routes if there is an emergency. In addition to fear of Covid-19, the closure of tourist destinations and offices fielding only the minimum number of personnel have also affected the number of commuters.
Prior to the pandemic, 5000 buses and minibuses operated in Dhaka city and adjacent districts, and more than 4000 buses would operate on long routes from Gabtoli, Sayedabad, and the Mohakhali interdistrict terminal, according to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
Since the resumption of public transport, buses are only allowed to carry 50% of their passenger capacity in order to maintain social distancing. Due to the low number of passengers, the following of health guidelines has not been a problem.
The authorities approved a 60% hike in fares, but passengers claim many buses have raised fares by 80-90%.
“Even though offices have resumed, I decided not to use public transport as coronavirus is a contagious disease,” said Mainuddin Ahmed Opel, a banker who earlier used buses regularly.
“I bought a bicycle for the commute as my office is only 2km away from my home,” he added.
Nowshin Afroze, employee of a private company, said she usually travels somewhere for a vacation at least once a year, but has cancelled all travel plans this time.
Rafiqul Islam, a trader in the Kakrail area of the city, said: “I use a bus to go to my business centre twice a week, as it is running on a limited scale. Before the pandemic, I would go six times a week.”
Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association Secretary General and Shohag Poribahan owner, Khandaker Enayet Ullah, said: “The losses we are suffering are basically the same as if we had shut down operations. The operation of AC buses has almost stopped and not more than 25% of non-AC buses run on long routes.
“We have kept the buses running for the sake of the drivers and workers,” he added.
“We have informed the government about the situation and asked for subsidies in the sector. Otherwise, it is hardly possible to continue operation,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
However, Md Yousub Ali Mollah, chairman of BRTA (additional charge), said: “We have allowed transport operators to operate services while following health guidelines. However, there is nothing we can do about the inadequate number of passengers.”
Two train services suspended:
The Bangladesh Railway (BR) resumed operation at the beginning of June with 18 pairs of trains and tickets available for 50% of the seats. About 98% of the tickets were sold at resumption of public transport, but only 14-15% of the tickets have been sold in recent times.
Due to the lack of ticket sales, Bangladesh Railway has suspended Sonar Bangla Express and Upokul Express, two inter-city train services on the Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Noakhali routes, respectively.
“We have cut the services where more trains were once running on these routes,” said Shamsuzzaman, director general of Bangladesh Railway.
Launch owners demand fare hikes
Launch owners have also demanded hikes in fares as they have also been suffering losses due to a lack of passengers after the resumption of public transport on June 1.
Ariful Islam, an employee of a multinational company, said he used to visit his family home in Barisal by launch on weekends.
“However, there is no need for me to catch a launch at Sadarghat anymore, because my office allowed me to work from home in Barisal,” he added.
Launch owners said they need a 29-36% hike in fares by the end of the month, or they will have to suspend operations.
The demand was announced after an internal meeting of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Agency, an association of launch owners.
“It will be difficult to operate launches as the number of passengers is getting lower day by day. We can at least make up the operation cost if the fare is hiked. We will place our demand before the Shipping Ministry very soon,” said Md Badiuzzaman, vice-president of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Agency.
