BRTC's nagging pain
The temporary shutdown of a depot of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), which pushed on for the second day on Wednesday before being called off at midday, is the latest indication of the sad state of affairs in this very important state entity. The semi-autonomous corporation, which provides both passenger and cargo transport services, has been struggling for long, thanks to corruption and mismanagement and its inability to turn into a self-sustaining organisation. The latest strike, enforced by the depot's workers demanding payment of nine months of arrears, had the potential to stoke protests in other depots. But thankfully, that threat has been temporarily neutralised. BRTC has 21 depots across the country, 19 for buses and two for trucks, and workers' salaries are due in 17, according to a report by The Daily Star. Clearly, palliatives are not going to work for a problem of this magnitude or for an institution that has been constantly operating at a loss.
Currently, the salaries and benefits of a BRTC depot employee have to be paid from the earnings of that particular depot, the lion's share of which comes from leasing out buses to private entities, with no sustainable sources of income for the employees. This business model has proved to be unsuccessful. Moreover, most buses of BRTC are in a decrepit condition. New buses are brought in every now and then and left to rot once they fall into disrepair. As a result, crores of taxpayers' money are wasted. We suggest the government take a critical look at the state of affairs in BRTC, beginning with the formation of an enquiry committee that will get to the bottom of the problem and involve experts to find a lasting business solution for this hugely potential institution.
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