‘Withdraw 60 percent increased bus fare immediately’
“No public transport in the country is following the hygiene rules imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak”
Bangladesh Passengers Welfare Association has demanded immediate withdrawal of 60 percent increase in bus fares, which was imposed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, to stop the anarchy in public transport across the country.
In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, the organisation's secretary-general, said, "No public transport in the country is following the hygiene rules imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak."
He added, "Passengers in the public transports are being carried in the old style with increased fares. As a result, the movement of general people has become difficult due to unemployment and declining income amid Covid-19."
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Moreover, there is anarchy in the public transport on almost every route in the country, he further added.
On June 2, The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has questioned the reasoning behind increasing bus fares by 60 percent. CAB also demanded that the government cancel its decision considering the hardships of lower income people during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The government on May 31 increased the fares of all buses, including inter-district bus services, by 60 percent as the vehicles are allowed to carry half passengers of the total seats to maintain social distancing amid the pandemic.
