PASSENGERS of public buses and minibuses are facing an increased risk of getting infected with the novel coronavirus as almost none of the health regulations, particularly maintaining social distancing, are being followed by the transport services while passengers are being charged extra for their travels. Passengers of long-route buses are also seen paying an extra fares charged by different bus operators. While there has been a considerable increase in fares, in some districts, even standing passengers are found in buses as the operators running their services defying government instruction for taking 50 per cent passengers. Against this backdrop Bangladesh Road Transport Authority on Monday asked the transport owners and workers’ associations to follow the health regulations.
Road safety activists blamed the weak monitoring system for the situation and urged the authorities to withdraw the increased fares of buses. Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh on Tuesday issued a statement demanding the withdrawal of increased fare rate for public road transports. Many road transport workers are taking more passengers on buses defying government order with the support of the owners. Earlier in June, the authorities resumed the services of public transports which remained shut since March 26 to contain the spread of COVID-19. Following the requests of the bus owners, the government announced a 60 per cent increase on all bus fares in June till the situation would improve. The government directed the owners to maintain social distancing, not to take any passenger in the middle of the journey, use sanitizer, keep buses clean and provide personal protective equipment to the transport workers.
Most of the buses on long routes during the Eid rush are seen carrying more than 50 per cent passengers and charging extra. In the capital, passengers are seen sitting side by side in different city service buses breaching the government order. BRTA has been conducting mobile court in Dhaka and requested the divisional commissioners to conduct mobile courts at all districts to check the violations. BRTA must ensure the enforcement of government regulation and transport owners have a social responsibility to maintain health safety.
Road safety activists blamed the weak monitoring system for the situation and urged the authorities to withdraw the increased fares of buses. Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh on Tuesday issued a statement demanding the withdrawal of increased fare rate for public road transports. Many road transport workers are taking more passengers on buses defying government order with the support of the owners. Earlier in June, the authorities resumed the services of public transports which remained shut since March 26 to contain the spread of COVID-19. Following the requests of the bus owners, the government announced a 60 per cent increase on all bus fares in June till the situation would improve. The government directed the owners to maintain social distancing, not to take any passenger in the middle of the journey, use sanitizer, keep buses clean and provide personal protective equipment to the transport workers.
Most of the buses on long routes during the Eid rush are seen carrying more than 50 per cent passengers and charging extra. In the capital, passengers are seen sitting side by side in different city service buses breaching the government order. BRTA has been conducting mobile court in Dhaka and requested the divisional commissioners to conduct mobile courts at all districts to check the violations. BRTA must ensure the enforcement of government regulation and transport owners have a social responsibility to maintain health safety.
