Passengers alleged that bus owners have announced an unannounced suspension of all types of inter-district and Dhaka-bound bus services in Rangpur on Friday morning in view of BNP's rally in Dhaka, causing trouble for commuters.
However, bus ticket counters at the Dhaka coach stand in Kamarpara of Rangpur city were open but the counter managers said that they have stopped the bus service due to lack of passengers.
SR Travels counter manager Majnu said: “Our buses are not on strike. Buses are unable to leave due to the shortage of passengers.”
He made no comments regarding passengers complaining that the buses were not leaving because of the undeclared bus strike.
On the other hand, passengers were not able to go to different destinations as the bus was not running at the bus stand.
Dhaka-bound passenger Saiful complained that the bus owners stopped the bus service by calling an undeclared strike.
Another Dhaka-bound bus passenger Shahana said the same thing. She said that she came to Rangpur due to urgent need and had to attend work tomorrow (Saturday). However, she was unable to leave because of the bus strike.
Meanwhile, Rangpur District Motor Owners' Association Joint Secretary Aftabuzzaman Lincoln said that no strike had been called. Rather, passengers were avoiding going to Dhaka over fear of trouble in the capital. As a result, there were fewer passengers so the buses were not leaving.
