Commuters on the Dhaka-Rangpur route suffered on Tuesday, as confusion over a bus transport strike prevailed.
On one hand, one group said that the strike over the wages of drivers and helpers for Dhaka-bound buses from Rangpur was underway, while another said that there was no strike.
Buses of only three companies operated on Tuesday, causing great suffering and confusion for passengers.
Sabiha Khatun, who works at a private company in Dhaka, found herself stranded at the terminal due to the strike.
“They have started playing with the passengers and the administration is not doing anything to address the issue,” she complained.
Garment worker Ashraf, who had been visiting his sick mother, found himself in a similar situation.
A visit to the Kamarpara bus stand in Rangpur town showed that no buses other than those of Ena Paribahan, Fateh Ali Paribahan and Shyamoli Paribahan were leaving the terminal with passengers.
According to Ashraf, a member of staff at a ticket counter, labour leaders ordered them not to operate the buses.
Shafiul Islam of Shyamoli Paribahan claimed he was unaware of any strike.
“Those who bought tickets in advance are able to leave at the designated time,” he said.
Responding to queries on the matter, Motor Sramik Union General Secretary Abdul Majid said that the union had not declared a strike.
Meanwhile, Rangpur Motor Owners Association Joint General Secretary Aftabuzzaman Nippon said that a few days ago, Abdul Majid had said that his union would enforce a strike if the wages of helpers and drivers were not increased.
“After this incident, the owners increased the wages,” he said.
On the other hand, an employee at the SR Travels ticket counter, wishing to be anonymous, said that the transport company had been ordered by some labour leaders to halt operations.
