Passengers paying extra bus fares

As the holidaymakers have started rushing back to the capital, bus workers are charging passengers extra fares, sometimes double the usual amount, on Aricha-Dhaka and Paturia-Dhaka routes.

Thousands of people of around 21 southwestern districts of the country have begun to return to work after spending the Eid vacation. Most of them use Aricha and Paturia ghats to cross into Manikganj and then take buses to Dhaka.

Talking to The Daily Star, bus passengers said they were being forced to pay additional fare. Depending on the quality of service, bus fares on the routes usually range from Tk 80-120.

A private firm employee, Abdur Rahman, said, “I had to pay Tk 250 for the trip to Dhaka from Aricha. Bus staff refused to let me in when asked about the reason. I was compelled to pay because I could not avail any transport.”

More than three 300 buses of BRTC, Padma Line, Nilachal, NNB, Jatri Sheba and other services are transporting people on Aricha-Dhaka and Paturia-Dhaka routes, according to the lease-holder of Aricha ghat.

When asked, several bus staff admitted that they were overcharging.

Seeking anonymity, a conductor said, “Thousands of people are going to Dhaka. But few are travelling in the opposite direction. That's why we are taking extra fares.”

He also claimed that passengers did not have any objection to it.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of Manikganj Rifat Rahman said the law enforcers were checking crimes including pickpocketing, hijacking and mugging in the ghat areas. “But we haven't received such allegations so far,” he said.

He, however, assured that he would take action if anyone is found guilty.