Action must to stop anarchy, irregularities

The government has stopped 'Sitting Service' or 'Gate Lock' from April 16. But, the tendency to take additional fare is still going on. Most of the buses take extra passengers from city roads but do not follow the fare chart of BRTA.

Although, the city transports are now plying on roads as local service but they are taking additional fares from city dwellers. As a result, the 'Sitting Service' was stopped officially but the passenger did not get any benefit. 

There is a complaint that most of the buses and mini-buses are taking passengers from city roads randomly and demanding higher fare as usual. Ultimately, altercation, scuffle and clashes are taking place between bus conductors and passengers. Even, some passengers were tortured by the transport workers. Women and children passengers suffer most due to the over crowd situation in transports.

Additional fare in name of 'Sitting Service' was a regular complain in Dhaka city. Following the matter, on April 4, Dhaka Sarak Paribahan Samity, an association of owners of passenger buses in the capital decided to stop 'Sitting Service', 'Gate Lock' and 'Special Service' from April 16. The organization arranged a meeting with Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

According to BRTA, there is no rule in vehicle act over 'Sitting Service'. Besides, the 'Sitting Service' buses do not take additional passengers as a result sometimes people could not get into the buses. 

Bus owners decided that the buses will not take extra fare from passengers violating government fare chart. But, the reality is different now. Most of the overcrowded buses are demanding 'Sitting Service' fares.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) authority conducted drive in several key points in the city to check 'Sitting Service'. However, no fruitful result is seen yet. Additional fare taking tendency is going on. Side by side, many buses stopped their service to avoid mobile courts in the capital. Eventually, the city commuters are suffering most.

Undoubtedly it is a matter of great concern. We expect that the government will take necessary to stop passenger sufferings in the capital for the sake of city dwellers. Harder steps should be taken against them who are involved with passenger's harassment in name of 'Sitting Service'. Not only Sitting Service halt but also ban should be implemented on all types of unfit, unregistered vehicles.

Similarly, action should take against random vehicle parking or taking passengers from everywhere violating traffic rules. Because, these type of tendency is also responsible for immense traffic jam in city roads. The traffic police department can play an important role in this regard.

We want anarchy and irregularities frees transport sector for the safe and comfortable movement of city dwellers.


risingbd/Dhaka/Apr 18, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Nasim