Bus services to and from Barishal suspended after clash over half-fare

Bus services of Barishal with other parts of the country, including Dhaka, remain suspended since last evening following a violent clash between transport workers and students at Nathullabad Bus Terminal over a dispute regarding half fares.

The sudden suspension of bus operations caused immense sufferings to the passengers. Many arrived at the terminal this morning only to return home disappointed.

Hira Paik, a transport worker, said no buses left the terminal for any destination since morning. However, a few BRTC buses were seen operating on a few routes.

The clash had erupted yesterday evening when an argument broke out between students and bus staff over half fares. At least 50 people from both sides were injured, more than 50 buses were vandalised and several ticket counters were also ransacked.

Traffic movement on the Dhaka–Barishal–Kuakata highway remained suspended for nearly two hours following the incident. Although vehicular movement on the highway resumed after army personnel reached the spot, bus services from the terminal on all other routes did not restart as of this noon.

Mir Mosharraf Hossain, president of the Bus Owners Group, said nearly 100 buses were vandalised during the unrest, causing losses of Tk 3–4 crore.

He added that at least 50 counters were smashed, with laptops, computers, and furniture destroyed. "Around 50 workers, including one bus owner, were injured," he said.

Students alleged that the clash broke out after a dispute with a bus supervisor regarding half fares. "We did not vandalise any bus," they claimed, adding that several students were injured.