Chattogram Bureau :
The passengers are in trouble due to the sudden increase of transport fares. The driver, helper and the passengers are arguing over it. There are also incidents of clashes.
From early morning on Monday, there were allegations of overcharging from passengers on various routes in the city. The helper had a scuffle with a university student named Masud Rana for demanding extra fare on the Hathazari special bus in Muradpur area.
Even though the destination of the passengers is close in the city, the drivers are charging 10 taka as soon as they get in the bus. Where the charge was taka 5, it is almost double now.. Earlier the fare from Kaptai Road to Patenga was Tk 25, now it is Tk 35.
Mohammad Shaf use to go to the new bridge from gate number two of the city. The helper demanded 20 taka from him even though the fare was 10 taka. But he refused to pay the extra fare. This leads to quarrels. At this time other passengers of the bus also got angry with the helper.
Shafi said, “I go to the new bridge every morning with 10 taka.” But I had to pay 20 taka. When I protested, the bus helper rushed towards me.
Long-distance buses are running on different routes from Chittagong with extra fare from the passengers. Long-distance buses left the city’s Alangkar and AK Khan junctions on Sunday night after the transport strike was called off. Passengers who were dissatisfied with the extra fare were relieved to have the opportunity to travel long distances after the strike.Speaking to officials at various transport counters in the city, it is learned that they have increased the old fare by Tk 50-100 only.
In truth, care of the poor people is taken little. The country’s greater number of people is middle income group to the lower income group of people. That means when bus or train or launch fare is increased, none thinks of the poor people, said an ex. teacher of a private college.
