Bus fare rise sets commuters against transport workers
Confrontations between commuters and bus staff over increased fare have frequently been erupting on different routes in Chittagong in the past few days.
Talking to the correspondent, some regular commuters alleged that the bus owners have raised the fare unjustifiably after the recent rise of fuel price.
They said the bus owners have been taking the increased fare since January 10 this year.
Jahangir Kabir, a regular passenger on Patiya route, said: “Before January 10, we used to pay Tk 18 for a trip from Bahaddar Hat Bus Terminal to Patiya and Tk 15 for a trip from Karnaphuli Shah Amanat Bridge to Patiya.
“But they are now charging the fares of Tk 30 and Tk 25 on the routes respectively.”
“As per government's announcement, the fares should be Tk 21 and Tk 18,” he added.
Abul Kalam Azad, general secretary of Chittagong District Transport Owners Council, denied the increase in the fares.
“Rather we are charging less than that of declared by the government.”
“Whereas the fare of a trip from Bahaddar Hat Bus Terminal to Patiya should be Tk 37 as per the announcement of the government, we are taking Tk 25,” he claimed.
Incidents of bargaining, however, have been taking place on regular basis between the bus staffs and the passengers in almost every trip on the routs.
Sometimes the bargaining turns into scuffle and leads to vandalism of vehicles by angry passengers.
Some students, passengers of a Patiya bound bus, got locked in a clash with the staff in Manasha area in Patiya upazila on January 10.
A student was severely injured as the bus staff beat him up following an altercation over increased fare.
In other incidents on January 14, passengers reportedly vandalised two Patiya bound buses in Amjur Hat area and Naya Hat area.
Meanwhile, Commuters' Welfare Association in Patiya advised the commuters on January 13 not to pay more than Tk 18 for a trip from Bahaddar Hat Bus Terminal to Patiya.
Leaders of the association said the bus owners have increased the fare without any consultation with the representatives of commuters.
Motaharul Islam Chowdhury, president of association in Patiya, told The Daily Star that the bus owners promised to charge Tk 18 for a trip from Bahaddar Hat Bus Terminal to Patiya and Tk 14 from Shah Amanat Bridge to Patiya after a tripartite meeting among owners, administration and the leaders of the association few months back.
“Now they are taking charge breaking the promise,” he alleged.
Meanwhile commuters alleged that despite being informed, police do not intervene in confrontation among the commuters and bus staff.
Assistant Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (Traffic) AKM Emran Bhuian said that he will probe into the matter.
Officer-in-charge of Patiya Police Station MA Sabur said they are trying to sit with both the groups.
“But neither of the groups shows flexibility to come to sit together for a discussion,” he said.
Police are alert to prevent any untoward incidents, he added.
Patiya upazila chairman Idris Mian said both the groups are stick to their stances.
“We are trying to find a solution so that the law and order situations do not go out of control,” he said.
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