‘Prioritise public transportation, not motorcycles’
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity yesterday demanded that the government give priority to public transport instead of "accident-prone" motorcycles.
They also urged the government to cancel its decision to lower motorcycle registration fees, and to halt the move to allow operations of higher engine capacity motorbikes in the country.
Currently, the country's transport authorities allow highest 165CC bikes to operate.
The passengers' welfare platform made the demand in a press release, signed by its secretary general Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury.
The government on February 2 issued a circular, slashing motorcycle registration fees by half, a demand long being made by two-wheeler makers.
Besides, several newspapers reported that the government is also considering to allow 350CC bikes to ply the roads.
The Samity said when some three to four lakh motorbikes are hitting the street every year, the number of public transportation is decreasing gradually.
Out of the total 44 lakh registered vehicles in the country, 31 lakh are bikes, it said.
Besides, there are some three to four lakh unregistered bikes in the country, it added. But, only 18 lakh bikers have driving licences, it said.
Citing its document, the organisation said motorcycles were involved in 24.8 percent of road crash last year while the rate was 21.4 percent in 2019.
Lack of public transport, harassment of passengers, anarchy over fare, poor service and lack of employment facilities are leading people to choose bikes. Besides, many are operating bikes under ride sharing platforms, it added.
But, this cannot be any way to develop public transport system, the organisation said urging the government to impose restriction on bikes, easy bikes and battery-run rickshaws.
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