Bangladesh Road Transport Association, Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association and Bangla-desh Road Transport Workers Federation also demanded implementation of an accord between the communications ministry and the bus-truck owners association, its Chairman GM Siraj, MP said last night.

The agreement called for an end to unbalanced competition between Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) and private bus owners, rebate from the taxes of diesel-run buses and trucks, and withdrawal of VAT from AC buses, among other issues.

A meeting of the road transport association chaired by its President Abdur Rashid Khan at Jessore Minibus Owners' Association office decided to go for tougher programmes if bus fares are not increased.

Communications Minister Nazmul Huda told the BBC Bangla Service the committee working since May to re-fix bus fares would finalise its decision next week.

GM Siraj told The Daily Star the government should allow import of bus engines and spare parts at zero tariff as an alternative to keep the bus-truck fares at moderate level.

Extortion on the highways is also a crucial problem for the owners and workers, he added.

Commuters alleged they are facing problems in the public buses as the conductors claim higher fares referring to the fuel price hike.

Our Rangamati correspondent reports: Inter-district bus owners association yesterday enforced a wildcat indefinite strike on Chittagong-Rangamati-Khagrachhari route.

They are protesting against the fuel price hike and demanding new bus fares, causing immense sufferings to thousands of passengers.

Our Barisal correspondent adds: Road communications with other parts of the country disrupted as owners and workers of motorised vehicles called a 48-hour strike, demanding a rise in fares.

Our Sirajganj correspondent adds: The price hike has already caused acute fuel crises in the northern districts.