Transport strike
‘Entente’ behind transport sector chaos: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday raised a question in parliament whether “government authorities” have made any ‘entente’ with transport sector leaders.
“The reports on charging extra fares, harassing passengers and various irregularities in the transport sector are regularly run by the media… who’s actually controlling the transport sector--the government or the transport owners, or the workers--?” he questioned.
While delivering the valedictory speech in the 15th session of the 11th parliament, the Jatiya Party chief also wanted to know, “Who are working to protect the interests of people in an important sector like transport? Is there any entente between the government authorities and the leaders of this sector? Many people make such an allegation.”
Also read: Road anarchy over bus fares must be stopped: GM Quader
GM Quader, also Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, was seen smiling while raising the question standing beside his party MP Moshiur Rahman Ranga, president of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners 'Association.
He said it is only natural that transport owners may demand an increase in bus fares due to the rise in fuel prices but people were subjected to inhuman sufferings as a transport strike was imposed without any prior notice.
The Jatiya Party chairman also did not find any justification behind the suspension of services by gas-run buses.
He said Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), which is responsible for building a modern and disciplined road transport system, should have taken effective punitive action against those who disrupted the road transport system by going on strike without any notice.
He said the BRTA fixed new fares for the diesel-run buses as per their demand, but both the gas-run and diesel-run buses are taking extra fares from the passengers.
GM Quader also said the students’ current demand for ensuring half bus fare for them is a justified one.
Also read: No one to look into public sufferings: GM Quader
He said students in different countries travel by public transport at lower fares than usual. “This system was in practice in our country in the past.”
He hoped that the authorities concerned will implement the issue of half fares for students as soon as possible either by enacting a law or an executive order.
In his speech, GM Quader made a demand for introducing retirement benefits for the MPs. “We’ve many MPs serving people for 20-25 years as their representative. In many countries, MPs are given retirement support. I demand that such arrangements be made in our country, “he observed.
The Jatiya Party chief said similar benefits can also be introduced for mayors, councilors, chairmen, vice-chairmen and members of local government bodies.
SSC examinees, others suffer as transport strike begins in Sylhet
An indefinite transport strike, enforced by Bangladesh Road Transport Workers' Federation (BRTWF), began in Sylhet division on Monday to press for their five-point demand.
Commuters, including SSC examinees and office-goers, continued to suffer as all modes of public transport, including buses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and freight trucks went off the roads in the division.
However, vehicles carrying SSC examinees, patients, foreign-bound people have been kept out of the purview of the strike.
No long-haul buses have left Sylhet since morning due to the strike and transport workers were seen picketing on the roads.
Read: Indefinite transport strike in Sylhet from Monday
Private vehicles were seen dominating the streets in Sylhet city in absence of public transport.
Talking to UNB, a number of passengers expressed anger and frustration over the frequent transport strikes.
Hossain Ahmed, a bank official waiting at the Sylhet Central Bus Terminal, said, “Transport owners go on strike for simple reasons. They want to realise their demands, making us hostage. This is very unfair.”
He demanded an end to such strikes in the emergency services sector by enacting a law.
Indefinite transport strike in Sylhet from Monday
Bangladesh Road Transport Workers' Federation (BRTWF) called an indefinite strike in Sylhet from Monday to press for their five-point demand.
All modes of public transport, including buses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and freight trucks will stay off the roads in Sylhet from 6 am onwards, said BRTWF organizing secretary (Sylhet division) Zakaria Ahmed.
READ: 72-hr transport strike underway in Sylhet
"On November 9, we handed over a five-point demand to the deputy commissioner of Sylhet. As no initiative has been taken to meet those demands, all modes of public transport in Sylhet will be staying off the roads indefinitely from Monday as per our previously announced programme.”
READ: Commuters hit hard by transport strike in Khulna
Their demands are: Sylhet Regional Auto-tempo and Auto Rickshaw Driver Workers' Alliance must complete its triennial election and refund of cash collected as nomination fee as well as suspending the Deputy Director of Sylhet Regional Labor Department, withdrawal of the case filed against leaders of Sylhet District Bus, Minibus Coach-Microbus Workers Union; an end to the harassment of drivers by traffic and highway police in Sylhet; stopping toll collection on damaged bridges and ensuring parking facility for small vehicles.
Launch services to resume with up to 42% fare hike
Launch owners have called off their strike, part of the wider transport strike protesting a 23 percent hike in the price of diesel, following a decision to increase fares by upto 42 percent.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has increased the fares for short distance-journeys by 35.3 percent, and for long distances by 42 percent.
Read:Striking association unveils 3-pt charter of demands
The decision was made at a meeting between the BIWTA authorities and launch owners in the capital on Sunday.
Launch fare has been fixed at Tk 2.30 per kilometre for the first 100 km (from Tk 1.70/km), and then Tk 2/km beyond the first 100 km, which used to be Tk 1.40 .
The minimum fare has also been fixed at Tk 30, a two-thirds increase or 66.7 percent up from the existing Tk 18.
BIWTA Chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq said the new fares will be effective from today (Sunday). A notification will be issued regarding the increased fare soon. Moreover, each launch dock will have the new fare list.
The BIWTA chairman said, “The launch fares were last increased in 2013. After that the fare was not adjusted."
Read:Strike called off as bus fares raised
Meanwhile, the chairman said a committee was working anyway to increase the fares in response to the demands of the owners, before the fuel price hike came in. "In the meantime, the price of fuel has been increased. Then the owners urgently demanded a fare adjustment."
"We have taken everything into consideration while fixing the new fares so that the passengers do not suffer, nor the owners face losses," he added.
Earlier, the launch owners suspended their services on Saturday, demanding that the fares be doubled.
A section of leaders of transport workers and owners met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal but the meeting made no headway.
Transport strike disrupting goods delivery from Ctg port
The nationwide transport strike, enforced by transporters against fuel price hike, is seriously disrupting the movement of inbound and outbound goods-laden vehicles of Chattogram port, bringing goods delivery almost to a halt.
No vehicle has been seen entering the port for carrying the unloaded goods or leaving it since the early hours of Friday, said sources at the country’s largest port.
The port authority, however, said loading and unloading of containers and goods from vessels are normal at the jetty.
Bus, truck and van owners went on an indefinite strike from Friday in protest against fuel price hike.
Also read: Strike to continue as transporters’ meeting with minister ends ‘inconclusively’
Port secretary Md Omar Faruque said, “All the activities inside the port are normal. If the strike continues for a longer period, it’ll affect its activities for sure.”
Strike to continue as transporters’ meeting with minister ends ‘inconclusively’
Amid the nationwide transport strike, a section of leaders of transport workers and owners met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Saturday but the meeting concluded inconclusively.
“We’ve decided to continue the strike until the decision of the fuel price hike is withdrawn or transport fare is readjusted,” said additional secretary general of Bangladesh Covered Van, Truck Owners Association Abdul Motaleb.
He came up with the remarks while talking to reporters emerging from a meeting with the home minister at the latter’s residence.
Also read: Day 2 of bus strike: Commuters' pain is auto drivers' gain
“As we didn’t get any positive decision from the government regarding our demand, we’ll continue our programme. The minister may call us anytime to inform us of the Prime Minister’s decision over the issue,” Motaleb added.
PM monitoring situation over fuel price hike: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is monitoring the situation evolving in the country following the fuel price hike.
Obaidul Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, made the remarks at a briefing at his official residence in the morning.
Read: Fuel price hike to benefit “looters”: BNP
“The government has re-fixed the prices of diesel and kerosene following the price hike on the international market and to prevent fuel smuggling to neighboring countries,” he said.
Quader, however, said the government always considers the issues of public interest with utmost importance.
The minister said a meeting of the BRTA fare rescheduling committee will be held on Sunday. Representatives of transport owners, workers and other stakeholders will join the meeting as efforts will continue to keep the additional pressure on people at a tolerable level.
Quader warned that all, including the agencies concerned of the government should remain vigilant so that no one can raise the prices of goods and transport fares on the pretext of price adjustment.
Read: Day 2 of bus strike: Commuters' pain is auto drivers' gain
The Awami League general secretary renewed his call to the transport owners and labour leaders to call off the transport strike considering the sufferings of people, including examinees and job seekers.
Day 2 of bus strike: Commuters' pain is auto drivers' gain
Commuters had a harrowing time on Saturday morning as the indefinite nationwide strike of bus owners and transporters entered the second day.
The bus, truck and van owners decided to go on a strike from Friday in protest against fuel price hike in Bangladesh.
Read: Transport strike in Khulna: Pressure of passengers on trainIn the capital, all buses -- intra and inter-city -- and microbuses stayed off the roads for the second day in a row. People travelling to and from distant areas as well as the office-goers were the most affected.
In many areas of the city, UNB found people waiting on the roads, desperately looking to hail ride-sharing cabs and shared autos to reach their destination.
Several commuters complained that the auto and cycle rickshaw drivers were taking advantage of the situation by overcharging them. "Auto drivers are demanding double the fare. It's a nightmare for us," said an office-goer.
Traffic inspector Akteruzzaman (Uttara Rajlaxmi), said, “I have not spotted a single bus on the roads since morning. Only cabs, private vehicles and autos are plying."
On Thursday, Convenor of Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van, Tank Lorry and Prime Movers Owners and Workers Coordination Council Md Rustom Ali announced their decision to go on an indefinite strike, following an emergency meeting.
Read: Counter-protest: DU admission seekers block Dhaka-Aricha highway
Leaders of the Council said the government raised the toll tax for using Bangabandhu Bridge and Muktarpur Bridge from 257% to 300% “illogically” on November 2 and then it raised the prices of fuel.
"Transport services had remained suspended for a long time due to Covid in the past two years. When the transport owners are trying to make a turnaround from their huge losses caused by the Covid shutdown, the decision of raising the bridge toll and fuel prices was announced," the Council said in a statement.
Transport strike in Khulna: Pressure of passengers on train
As long-distance bus services halted in protest against the sudden hike in fuel prices hundreds of people remained stranded at bus stations in Khulna on Friday.
Many of them, desperate to reach their destinations, crowded the railway station to try to catch a train.
The strike has been called by the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers' Federation and the Bangladesh Truck-Bus Owners' Association. Khula, like rest of the country, has been severly hit by the protest causing immense public sufferings.
It has hit hard especially those who had to travel to Dhaka from Khulna for emergency work. Many expressed anger over the situation.
No intra-city and long haul buses left Sonadanga, the central bus terminal in Khulna, since Friday morning. So passengers have to reach their destination by paying several times more fare in small cars including auto-rickshaws, mini pickups, microbuses. .
Kazi Nurul Hasan Baby, president of the Motor Workers' Union, said the owners and workers were in an immense financial crisis during the Covid pandemic. "Now the rise in fuel prices is creating a crisis again when we have start recovering from the losses."
Passengers started gathering at Khulna railway station to reach their destination by train. Many people are getting on the train by force even though they do not get tickets.
Md Sharif, who came from Labanchara to the railway station for a ticket, said, "I went out to go to Dhaka and got stuck here due to the strike. However, after a long wait I found out there were no tickets when I came to take the train to go to Dhaka."
Read: Commuters suffer as buses stay off roads
Khulna Railway Assistant Station Master Ashiq Ahmed said many people showed up at the station as they could not get buses since morning. "I am struggling to handle the extra passengers."
On the other hand, farmers and traders are suffering immensely for transporting their goods.
University admission seekers and government job seekers have suffered the most due to the suspension of bus services.
“My sister needs to attend her semester exams at Islamic University tomorrow (Saturday),” said a passenger named Kazi Iftekhar. That is why he has to go to Kushtia. "But I am worried about how I can go now amid this transport strike."
Buses plying between Dhaka and Khulna were seen lined up at the Sonadanga bus terminal in the Khulna metropolis and at the Royal intersection. Many people are coming and inquiring about the resumption of the bus movement. But no one has any answer.
Meanwhile, Khulna District Bus Minibus Coach Owners' Association's Joint Secretary Anwar Hossain Sona said no bus left Khulna due to the strike. All intra-city and long-haul buses are standing at the terminal. The strike will continue until any further decision from central leaders.
On Thursday, bus, truck and covered van owners called an indefinite nationwide strike from Friday in protest against fuel price hike.
Convenor of Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van, Tank Lorry and Prime Movers Owners and Workers Coordination Council Md Rustom Ali announced their decision on Thursday following an emergency meeting of the organization.
Leaders of the organization said the government raised the toll of Bangabandhu Bridge and Muktarpur Bridge from 257 per cent to 300 per cent “illogically” on November 2 and then it raised the prices of fuel, said a press release.
Read: Counter-protest: DU admission seekers block Dhaka-Aricha highway
Transport movement had remained suspended for a long time due to Covid in the last two years. When the transport owners are trying to make a turnaround from their huge losses caused by Covid shutdown, the decision of raising bridge toll and fuel price was announced, they added.
On Wednesday, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene at the retail level.
As per the new price, the diesel and kerosene will be selling at Tk 80 per litre instead of Tk 65 with effect from zero hour on Thursday, said a press release of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.
It said the prices of other petroleum products will remain unchanged.
It clarified that the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has been incurring a loss of Tk 20 crore per day as it is selling diesel at Tk 13.01 lower per litre and furnace oil at Tk 6.21 per litre, lower than their imported prices.
It said the petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of price hike of petroleum on the international market.
Wildcat transport strike puts Chattogram dwellers in trouble
Thousands of city dwellers faced immense sufferings as transport owners and workers in Chattogram went on a wildcat strike on Thursday protesting the arrest of five workers on charges of extortion.
After a reality check at Muradpur, Oxygen, Tiger Pass, New Market, Bahaddarhat, Kaptai Road and Kalurghat areas of the port city, the UNB correspondent saw office goers, students and commuters walking or taking rickshaws or CNG-run auto rickshaws for reaching their destinations.
Read: 20-yr-old student dies after falling into open drain in Chattogram
The alternative mode of transportations charged twice the regular fare, they alleged.
Five transport workers were arrested by the Rab from Alangkar corner of the city on Wednesday on the charge of extortion.
Their names are Azad, Ahid, Arif Hossain, Narayan Dey and Siddique Hossain.
In response, several transport owners' organizations called a strike from 6am to 6pm on Thursday.
All types of buses, minibuses and human haulers were under the jurisdiction of the strike.
When contacted, Oli Ahmed, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribahan Sramik Federation (Chattogram Region) said that transported workers refused to wok on Thursday over wrongful arrests of their co-workers.
Read:14 held with drugs worth Tk 12cr in Chattogram
“We have called a meeting on Thursday evening. Details on the issue will be informed after that,” he added.
In this regard, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Urban Traffic South Zone NM Nasiruddin said, "I have heard about a strike. However, I did not receive any official statements in this regard.”
Some public transports are still available on the road, he added.