Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association on Tuesday demanded that government should take stern steps to ensure hassle-free journey for home-going people as well as stop extra charges for bus tickets ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.
They came up with the demand at a press briefing at Jatiya Press Club. presided by the association’s chairman Sharif Rafiquzzaman.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) leader Ruhin Hossain Prince, Socialist Party of Bangladesh (SPB) leader Razequzzaman Ratan, Jagannath University teacher Razib Mir and the association’s secretary Mozammel Haque also spoke on the occasion.
Reading out a written statement, Mozammel Haque said in addition to the regular ticket price, an extra amount of about Tk 11,000 crore extra is being snatched from the home-going people in road, rail and waterways in just one week before and after the Eid-ul-Fitr.
Though the government arranges inter-ministry meeting and take some decision to ease the sufferings of home-going people, it has no practical impact, he added.
Observing that an overall anarchy has gripped the country’s transport sector, CPB leader Ruhin Hossain Prince said some unscrupulous businessman as well as government officials target Eid to make profit rather than proving services to the people.
Mentioning some eight million people will leave the city to celebrate this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr, SPB central leader Razequzzaman Ratan said due to mismanagement and lack of planning of the government, the woes of the transport sector has been worsening day by day.
