Motorcyclists have protested in Dhaka against the ban on ride-sharing services imposed in line with new restrictions on public movement following the alarming rise in Covid-19 cases and deaths.
The suspension from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) was effective from Wednesday.
On Thursday, hundreds of motorcyclists blocked roads and demonstrated at Jatrabari, in front of the National Press Club and several other areas including Shahbagh of the capital, demanding immediate reversal of the decision.
However, they called off the protests soon after and announced to demonstrate in front of the Press Club on Sunday.
The protesters, who depend on income from their ride-sharing services under different apps, said the ban threatens their livelihood and families.
They said that motorcyclists were “kicked in the stomach” with the full ban while public transports were still operating at half capacity.
One of them, Deen Islam said: "Even if we stand on the roads, the police do not hesitate to file a case against us. How are we supposed to live? After losing our jobs we are completely dependent on ride-sharing services for income."
Another rider said that all other types of vehicles were still operating on the roads, adding that many buses still carry double the passengers they are supposed to.
“If the coronavirus doesn’t spread there, how can we spread the virus with one passenger?” he asked, adding: “We won’t accept this inhuman decision.”
One Hafizur asked: “We do not have any other source of income. What will we eat? How will we pay the instalments for our motorcycles?”
Earlier in the day, general commuters had also demonstrated in the Khilkhet area as they could not get any public transport. They protested by blocking the Airport Road for a while, causing long gridlock.
On Monday, the government issued 18 directives, imposed on the whole country, in order to curb the recent surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths.
Various offices have been asked to operate with 50% manpower. All types of public transport are also now carrying passengers at half capacity, and because of that the authorities have also raised fares of buses and water vessels by 60% to tackle the losses.
