At least 40% bus-minibus operators in Dhaka and adjacent districts are charging passengers extra fare violating government instruction, the Road Transport and Highways Division has learnt recently.
A series of spot visits by road transport and highways officials as well as Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader himself revealed what has been happening in the public buses, the minister said during a press briefing yesterday.
“The fare was increased by just 10 paisa after the gas price was increased. But in the past few days, I as well as some department officials have observed that many transport owners are charging additional fare violating government rules,” the minister said.
“From what we have learnt, around 40% of the bus-minibus operators are doing this.”
In a recent public hearing on extra bus fare in the capital, Bangladesh Passengers’ Welfare Association claimed that the bus and minibus operators were not following the fare chart fixed by the government and charging extra money for fare.
There have been reports in this regard published in several national daily newspapers as well.
The minister further said some BRTC buses had been found among the rule breakers.
“I was surprised to find that some state-run buses have been charging extra fare to passengers as well. The passengers have complained about it to me, and I found out the truth.”
He further said the division had sent an show-cause notice to the chairman of BRTC – Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation.
“We are waiting for the BRTC chairman’s reply in this regard.”
In addition, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority has set up five mobile courts which will be active around the city to prevent such illegal activities, the minister added.
However, The Road Transport and Highways Division also sent letters to the deputy commissioners of Gazipur, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Manikganj and Narshingdi districts to run mobile courts to prevent this illegal practice of the bus owners in the districts.
“We do not have the capacity to run more than five mobile courts at a time. So we have instructed the deputy commissioners of the districts adjacent to Dhaka to run their own mobile courts,” the minister said.
