M M Jasim :
Kamal Uddin, a banker, was going to Jatrabari from Bangla Motor by a Gabtoli-Chittagong Road bound bus No-8 on Tuesday. The bus conductor charged Tk 20 as fare. But the actual fare is Tk 12.
Rakib Hasan Chowdhury was trying to hire a CNG auto-rickshaw at Shahbagh intersection for going to Dhaka Cantonment. He talked with eight CNG auto-rickshaw drivers, but each one demanded Tk 250 to 300. The maximum fare from Shahbagh to Cantonment, only five kilometres apart, is Tk 100.
These are not the sporadic incidents, but thousands incidents occur every day around the capital. The passengers are virtually helpless as they compel to move here and there giving almost double fare.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) said, it has been trying to stop charging of extra fare from the passengers. Secretary of BRTA Md Sowkot Ali told The New Nation that it is unexpected which occurred by the bus conductors and drivers.
“We know that the buses charge extra fares from the passengers. We have also received many allegations against the buses. That is why we have been conducting mobile court to stop such illegal means,” the BRTA secretary said.
Sowkot Ali said, “The BRTA formed a committee to make a recommendation to control the fare and stop sufferings of the passengers. The committee also submitted a plan to the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry for taking stern action against the bus owners, conductors and drivers for violating the direction of the ministry.”
While visiting some places, this correspondent observed that the passengers involved in quarrel with the conductors and drivers over extra fare at each and every bus in the capital. And even during rush hours, these “sitting service” buses turn into regular buses with people standing.
When there are vacant seats, they (bus drivers) stop wherever they want, be it the middle of the road or at lesser known stops (not designated bus stop).
Rifat Hossain, a private service holder, protested for charging double fare as FTCL, a Motijheel-Mohammadpur bound bus charged took Tk 10 for going to Gulistan from Shahbagh. He involved in quarrel with the bus conductor. At one stage, the conductor hurled abusive words at Kamal Uddin. An anarchy situation was prevailing in the bus for about half an hour.
“Every bus either sitting or local charges Tk 5 for going to Gulistan from Shahbagh. If it is sitting bus, Tk 7 can be charged as per the direction of the BRTA. But FTCL is not the sitting bus. How the bus conductor takes Tk 10 from each passenger. It is undesirable,” Rifat Hossain said.
On November 4, Shafiqur Rahman was returning home from his work in Gulshan on Alif Paribahan. The conductor demanded Tk 10 for the trip to Mohakhali from Gulshan-1.
Shafiqur protested but the conductor stood his ground. At one point, both attempted to assault each other.
“It’s less than two kilometres. How can they demand Tk 10?” said Shafiqur angrily.
As per the new direction of BRTA, a bus can charge Tk 1.70 per km. The minimum fare remains unchanged at Tk 7. For minibuses, the new rate is Tk 1.60 instead of the previous Tk 1.50 per kilometre.
For CNG auto-rickshaws, commuters will have to pay Tk 40 for the first two kilometers and Tk 12 for each next kilometre. Waiting charge has been made Tk 2 per minute.
Meanwhile, the BRTA has made the fare chart mandatory for the bus operators to hang and preserve the fare chart in vehicles.
Travelling in buses of different city routes, this correspondent did not see any fare chart.
Whenever a passenger asked about the legality of the excess fare, the bus staff showed their own made-up fare chart.
BRTA Secretary Sowkot Ali said they have cancelled the registrations of many transport owners and have also recommended cancellation of their route permits.
