Action against bus cos for realising higher fares
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Munima Sultana
The authorities sent 11 buses of different companies to the dumping ground and fined several others after launching a drive Wednesday amidst allegation against them of demanding higher fares from passengers defying the government directive about it. Most of the bus and minibus companies operating on the city's various routes increased their fares Tuesday, a day after the government announced the hike with a deadline to make it effective from May 19 (today) following a gazette notification. Officials said upon media reports Wednesday, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) launched two magistrate courts and caught 11 buses red-handed while they were demanding exorbitant fares from passengers. "We have tried to take right and immediate actions when allegations are proven," a magistrate told the FE. He said some companies were fined, the route permits of some companies were seized and some vehicles were sent to the dumping ground adding that the extra fares were returned to the passengers. According to the magistrate courts, a number of buses of Bengal, Nishorgo and Shikor companies were sent to the dumping ground as those were not only taking increased fares but also were running without route permits. A total of Tk 23,200 was realised as fine from the minor violators. However, no buses of the companies, of which the FE reported Tuesday quoting passengers, were seized or fined. From passengers' experiences while availing service in buses of the companies like Mega City, Raja, Moitry, Malancha, Midway, Ark etc, the FE reported that the companies demanded between Tk 12 and Tk 15 as the minimum fare against the government declared rate of Tk 7. Meanwhile passengers alleged that although the minimum fare of Tk 7 is applicable for 'seating' or special city buses, the common buses were also demanding the same fare. They said these buses earlier took Tk 3 as the minimum fare. As there is still confusion over the announced bus fares on various kinds of buses and trips, the passengers feared that if it is not cleared in the gazette notification, their harassment would be increased manifold. Communications ministry officials said the latest bus fares will be effective even if the gazette notification is not issued by today (Thursday). Secretary General of Bangladesh Road Transport Association Khandakar Enayetullah, who assured the government of no disorder in bus fares till the notification during the Monday's meeting, claimed that none of its member companies has violated the government order on revised bus fares. He said, "Only 8 to 10 bus companies have increased the bus fares soon after the news was published." The transport body leader, who also claimed that there are 4,000 members in his association in the city and 175,000 members throughout the country, has accepted the new bus fares and added that there were no irregularities among his association members. However, officials said the BRTA chairman has already sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police to strengthen the drive so that street disorder due to fare-related problems can be resolved.
The authorities sent 11 buses of different companies to the dumping ground and fined several others after launching a drive Wednesday amidst allegation against them of demanding higher fares from passengers defying the government directive about it. Most of the bus and minibus companies operating on the city's various routes increased their fares Tuesday, a day after the government announced the hike with a deadline to make it effective from May 19 (today) following a gazette notification. Officials said upon media reports Wednesday, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) launched two magistrate courts and caught 11 buses red-handed while they were demanding exorbitant fares from passengers. "We have tried to take right and immediate actions when allegations are proven," a magistrate told the FE. He said some companies were fined, the route permits of some companies were seized and some vehicles were sent to the dumping ground adding that the extra fares were returned to the passengers. According to the magistrate courts, a number of buses of Bengal, Nishorgo and Shikor companies were sent to the dumping ground as those were not only taking increased fares but also were running without route permits. A total of Tk 23,200 was realised as fine from the minor violators. However, no buses of the companies, of which the FE reported Tuesday quoting passengers, were seized or fined. From passengers' experiences while availing service in buses of the companies like Mega City, Raja, Moitry, Malancha, Midway, Ark etc, the FE reported that the companies demanded between Tk 12 and Tk 15 as the minimum fare against the government declared rate of Tk 7. Meanwhile passengers alleged that although the minimum fare of Tk 7 is applicable for 'seating' or special city buses, the common buses were also demanding the same fare. They said these buses earlier took Tk 3 as the minimum fare. As there is still confusion over the announced bus fares on various kinds of buses and trips, the passengers feared that if it is not cleared in the gazette notification, their harassment would be increased manifold. Communications ministry officials said the latest bus fares will be effective even if the gazette notification is not issued by today (Thursday). Secretary General of Bangladesh Road Transport Association Khandakar Enayetullah, who assured the government of no disorder in bus fares till the notification during the Monday's meeting, claimed that none of its member companies has violated the government order on revised bus fares. He said, "Only 8 to 10 bus companies have increased the bus fares soon after the news was published." The transport body leader, who also claimed that there are 4,000 members in his association in the city and 175,000 members throughout the country, has accepted the new bus fares and added that there were no irregularities among his association members. However, officials said the BRTA chairman has already sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police to strengthen the drive so that street disorder due to fare-related problems can be resolved.