The roads of the capital were largely deserted on Friday, a day after the 13th national election, with public buses absent from the streets and only limited numbers of rickshaws and CNG-run autorickshaws operating.
A visit to different areas of Dhaka showed minimal traffic movement. Although buses usually operate on routes from Banasree to Demra and Rampura Bridge under various services, none were seen. No buses were operating on key stretches including Rampura Bridge to Badda via Bashundhara, and Rampura to Malibagh and Kakrail.
Similar scenes were observed in Paltan, Gulistan, Motijheel, Saidabad, Jatrabari, Shahbagh, Farmgate, Mirpur Road, Gabtoli, Shyamoli and Dhanmondi, where buses were absent but rickshaws and autorickshaws were available in small numbers.
Friday is a weekly government holiday, and ahead of the national election many residents left the capital to visit their hometowns, contributing to the unusually quiet streets. Those who ventured out for urgent needs largely relied on rickshaws or CNG-run autorickshaws.
Raihan Hossain, who travelled from Banasree to Kakrail, said transport fares had increased due to the lack of buses.
“Usually it costs Tk80 to Tk100 to travel from Banasree to Kakrail. Today it cost Tk130 to Tk150,” he said, alleging that some drivers were charging higher fares in the absence of public buses.
However, he noted that there was no traffic congestion and vehicles were moving smoothly.
Similar complaints of increased fares were reported from other parts of the capital.
