Editorial
Pre-Eid ticketing anomalies
A tale replayed without remedy
Like on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, so also now with Eid-ul-Azha only a few days away, the availability and cost of tickets for road, river and train communication are running into all sorts of difficulties. For instance, at bus terminals passengers have to pay extra Tk 50 to Tk 150 beyond the standard fare. Different companies plying the same routes, the same distance and the same category of transports are charging fares at varying rates much to the annoyance of commuters. Such short changing of homebound passengers is rife in a situation of artificial scarcities created by unscrupulous operators in collusion with middlemen.
The bus operators claim they have increased fares at the instance of Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association (BBTOA). Is the association the authorised agency to increase the rates unilaterally? Where is the transport ministry's role here to protect the interest of thousands of commuters? There hasn't been any fresh increase in the fuel prices necessitating any raise. This is brazenly taking advantage of Eid to fleece the passengers which is nothing short of extortion.
The BRTC and private transport operators are understandably running extra trips so that there should not be any problem with seats catering to the demands.
Just look at the sense of impunity palpable from the remark of a transport company operator who told our correspondent, 'why be enthusiastic about our small irregularities when ministers and other high government officials are indulging in massive corruption?'
This picture at the Kamalapur railway station and launch terminal is no different. Many of the queuing passengers, some since Tuesday, had to return home without a ticket in their first grueling attempt.
The Railway and the BIWTC authorities should at least measure up to last year's efficiency level. If the customers do not get the service they deserve during festivities what could they expect the year round? Lot of streamlining is needed in the system.
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