Private operators force BRTC buses off 8 Barisal routes

Led by the Barisal-Patuakhali Bus-Minibus Owners Association, they also removed BRTC ticket counters from different stands on the same day, sources said.

Barisal City Corporation Mayor Mujibur Rahman Sarwar on Sunday night held a meeting with representatives of BRTC and the Association, but could not resolve the matter.

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When contacted, Rashid Khan, central organizing secretary of BNP and Ziauddin Sikder, secretary of the Association claimed that the bus owners and workers stopped the service as BRTC violated its agreement with them.

It was agreed that BRTC buses will start from Nathullabad bus stand and not stop at Rupatoli stand for passenger. But they violated the agreement, they claimed.

BRTC Barisal depot manager Md Dulal said its buses stopped about 500 yards off Rupatoli bus stand and a ticket counter was set up there as per approval of the Mayor. This is not violation of the agreement.

He said a few passengers are found at Nathullabad starting point and the busus have to ply with a handful of peoeple on board if those do not stop near Rupatoli.

The private operators forcibly stopped the service on this plea to earn more money by making passengers hostage during the Eid, he said.

The private opetrators are conspiring to close down BRTC service in Barisal, Dulal alleged.