Commuters' ordeal

Mirpur is one of the most densely populated areas of Dhaka city but commuting to Mirpur by buses has become an ordeal for most of the commuters because of lack of buses and proper transport facility. Although a good number of local buses are plying in and around Mirpur everyday, but their condition is very shabby and due to lack of proper maintenance, these buses are also unfit for travel. Nevertheless, commuters are risking their lives while travelling by these buses. If a person who lives in Mirpur and wishes to go to Dhanmondi, then he has no other option but to board a bus of a particular company, a private enterprise, which is the only operator on Dhanmondi - Mirpur route. This is the only operator who got the route permit from BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority) to ply in this route and hence the commuters have no other option but to take its service. There is an allegation against the BRTA officials that they provide route permit for busy areas such as Mirpur, Dhanmondi etc to a selective number of bus operators whose owners are very influential people since owning a bus company on a busy route means brisk business. From College Gate to Mohammadpur, the distance is hardly 4 km, but this company is charging Tk. 12 for this small distance which is a clear violation of BRTA fixed bus fare. BRTA can easily take action against this bus company to stop their monopoly business but they are doing nothing in this regard and we, the commuters, are suffering for this. I would like to urge the authorities concerned to look into the matter.