Transport owners fleece passengers ahead of Eid
Amid crisis of tickets for water vessels and buses on Barisal-Dhaka-Barisal route, passengers have to pay 40 to 60 per cent extra amount for tickets from the counters while the prices are almost double in black markets.
Suffering passengers have said private water and road transport companies have stopped advance booking and are now charging the extra fare.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has arranged special services on Barisal-Dhaka-Barisal route to ease the sufferings of home-bound passengers during Eid vacation, BIWTA sources said.
Under the arrangement, six BIWTA water vessels will ply the route from October 10 to October 20, they said.
Pedal steamers Ostrich, Mahsud, Lepcha and Turn will be provided for the special services.
In addition to regular services, special services of sea trucks from Ilisha to Moju Chowdhuris Hut for passengers of Barisal-Chittagong route will be arranged for October 10-16.
Passengers of Barisal-Dhaka-Barisal route have demanded more transport facilities for their return trips till October 20 as Eid and Puja vacations fall at the same time.
Barisal BIWTA Port Officer Saiful Islam said a control room will work round the clock from October 9 to 16 to monitor the overall situation.
The schedule has been prepared at their Dhaka head office and it may be revised if rush of passengers continues, Barisal BIWTC Station Manager Khalid Newaz said.
Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) also announced special services for Eid on Barisal-Barguna-Rangpur and Charfashion-Jessore routes, said the local BRTC station manger.
Extra trips will also be arranged on other routes to tackle the rush of passengers if transports are available, he added.
Law enforcers will be deployed during October 9 to 20 at different stations and key points to ensure safety and security of passengers and prevent overloading and collection of extra fare and tolls.
Mobile teams will also move on roads and highways.
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