Pvt transport workers obstruct plying of BRTC buses
Passengers of BRTC bus service operating in a number of districts are facing difficulties as private transport workers and motor owners associations are allegedly putting obstacles on different routes.
For the last several days, transport workers brandishing sticks are seen waiting at BRTC's passenger shed and preventing passengers from getting into the BRTC buses on Bogra-Rangpur-Thakurgaon-Panchagarh routes, reports UNB.
The workers are forcing people to get down from BRTC buses even in presence of policemen ignoring the appeal of women and children passengers.
A number of passengers said the fare of BRTC buses is comparatively less than that of the private buses. Besides, the BRTC buses ply timely while the private buses take more time to reach their destinations.
They apprehend that running of BRTC buses may come to a halt anytime on the routes due to the undue obstruction of the transport workers.
Bus owners' association president in Thakurgaon Osman Gani said men of his association do supervisory works so that local passengers do not avail the opportunity of travelling by BRTC buses.
Momtaj Ali, a local agent of BRTC in Thakurgaon, said the bus owners' association is trying to halt the BRTC buses on the routes.
Momtajul Islam, a traffic sergeant, also admitted the incident saying that the unruly transport workers do not care anything.
Meanwhile, some local leaders of Kuliarchar upazila Awami League (AL) in Kishoreganj allegedly forced to stop the operation of BRTC bus service in Kuliarchar after failing to realise toll. The BRTC bus service connecting Kuliarchar bus stand and capital Dhaka remained suspended since Monday causing a lot of sufferings to passengers, reports a correspondent from Kishoreganj.
Golam Rasul, managing director of Kuliarchar Paribahan, said AL chairman of ward no 6 under Kuliarchar municipality Mantu Mia and some others ruling party men demanded Tk 1,000 as toll per day. After failing to realise the toll, they forced to stop its operation.
Mantu Mia however denied the allegation against him and said the bus service remained suspended due to dispute among the shareholders of the paribahan.
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