Increase in bus fare protested
Several organisations yesterday strongly protested the government's decision raising bus fare by around 30 percent and demanded review of the decision.
Terming it an "irrational decision", they said the government had increased the fare only to protect the interest of bus owners overlooking people's sufferings.
Citizen Solidarity, a non-government organisation, formed a unique human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club to protest the decision.
Participants in the programme stood with little bottles of mustard (sharisha) oil in their hands and with a banner titled "Jogajog mantri, apni ar koto ghumaben" (Mr communication minister, how long will you remain asleep).
Citizen Solidarity general secretary Sharifuzzaman Shairf said anarchy is prevailing in the country's transportation system and the government should address it with necessary measures.
The government decision of increasing bus fare would adversely impact the livelihood of middle-income and low-income people, he said.
Ruhin Hossain Prince, organiser of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, demanded introduction of mass transit that will help common people travel at relatively low cost.
At a separate news conference at Jatiya Press Club, Poribesh Bachao Andolan (Poba), an environmental organisation, also protested the increase.
Speakers at the programme said a terribly profit-hungry syndicate has grasped the entire transportation system due to negligence of the communication ministry.
They demanded formation of a committee to re-fix bus fare to protect people's interest, ensuring movement of rickshaws and bicycles on all routes across the city, and punishment of those who charge extra fare.
At the conference noted columnist Syed Abul Moksud termed the government's decision a "deception" with the people.
Buet's former vice chancellor AKM Shafiullah and Poba chairman Abu Naser Khan, among others, spoke at the programme, says a press release.
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) and Dhaka Zilla Auto-rickshaw-Auto-tempu-Mishuk Janbahon Sramik Union in two separate statements also protested the government's decision.
Meanwhile, the Association of Bus Companies (ABC) at a press conference rejected the government-set new bus fare and demanded more increase in the fare, saying that the price of vehicle parts and maintenance cost have gone up, says a release.
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