On the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, countless people departed from Dhaka to celebrate with their loved ones and offer sacrifices to Allah.
Taking advantage of this situation, transport owners have been charging extra fares from launch and bus passengers.
Passengers, feeling helpless, have been forced to pay the additional costs.
An overflowing crowd of homebound people can be seen on Sunday at the capital's Sadarghat launch terminal.
Almost every launch cabin is fully booked, and there is no available space on the deck, all at an additional cost.
Passengers are being charged an extra Tk300-Tk400 per cabin on southern and island-bound launches.
Additionally, launch officials are collecting extra money for seating on the deck and side benches.
Fire Service sets eight control rooms marking Eid-ul-AzhaA passenger named Shamim expressed frustration over the additional Tk200 charged for cabins on the Chandpur-bound launch, and said passengers were asked to pay an extra Tk100 to sit on the deck.
When questioned about the fare hike, launch staff claimed the increase had been implemented earlier when oil prices rose, and now, due to Eid, a bit more is being charged as a tip.
Similar complaints of extra fares have been reported on the Hatia and Bhola-bound launches.
Bus counters in the southern region are facing the same criticism. Passengers have to haggle for bus tickets, with higher fares particularly evident on the Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Noakhali, and Dhaka-Lakshmipur routes.
Lal Sabuj and Himachal Paribahan on the Dhaka-Noakhali route, and Econo, Jonaki Paribahan, and Dhaka Express on the Dhaka-Lakshmipur route, are among those reported for overcharging.
Passengers complain that during Eid, the fare on the Dhaka-Noakhali route rises from Tk550 to Tk800-900. Bus owners on this route are accused of extorting passengers around Eid, charging Tk200-400 more than the usual price per ticket. The situation is similar on the Dhaka-Lakshmipur route with Econo and Dhaka Express, where passengers are charged Tk300-400 above the fixed fare.
DMP warns of action against buses for overcharging during EidUsman, a passenger of Himachal Express, said: "During Eid, we have to bear the burden of extra fare. I hear the police administration claim that fare anarchy will not be allowed and action will be taken against those who overcharge, but in reality, this does not happen. Every Eid, we hear empty promises from the administration and still have to pay extra fares."
The counter manager of Himachal Express said: "If you don't want to go, choose another way." When the journalist introduced himself, the manager explained: "The buses are full when they leave, but they return empty. If we don't increase the fare a little, we won't be able to sustain operations."
Sultana Begum, a passenger travelling to Noakhali, believes the “Consumer Rights” department should conduct regular inspections at the Syedabad bus terminal.
She said: "Consumer Rights should conduct raids here daily during Eid. These operators are inhumane, forcing passengers to pay extra fares as Eid salami. We have no choice but to comply. When we protest, they claim the fare hikes are universal."
Saiful Islam Ujjal, another passenger, complained that Shamim Paribahan from Mymensingh to Kushtia was charging Tk700 to Tk1000.
He said: “The fare from Mymensingh to Kushtia is usually Tk550, but during Eid, they are exploiting people returning home by charging extra. Similar complaints have been made against Shahjalal Paribahan on the Netrakona-Mymensingh route.”
Rashedul Islam, a media activist, said: "There is extreme anarchy and oppression in the transport sector. The government's lack of intent to control this is evident."
Another passenger, Zaid Hossain Mishu, commented that due to the lack of administrative oversight, overcharging during Eid has become routine.
On Sunday, from morning to noon, no representatives from the Bangladesh Bus Truck Owners Association, BRTA, administration, or consumer protection agencies were seen monitoring the Syedabad bus terminal to prevent overcharging or passenger harassment.
Similarly, no inspections were conducted at the Sadarghat launch terminal for extra fares.
Passengers complain that bus and launch operators are exploiting the situation, charging extra due to inadequate oversight by the police and relevant authorities.
