Owners want to run buses with half of passengers on Eid

The government remained suspended public transport across the country during Eid-ul-Fitr to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

However, after a long suspension on June 1, the government allowed public transports to run with half of the passengers and 60 percent extra fare. But long-haul buses have been suffering from passenger crisis since. So, owners have decreased the number of buses on roads.

Meanwhile, many are uncertainty whether public transport will run on the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

Though no decision has yet been taken by the government so far, the owners are in favor of running their buses during Eid in compliance with all the health rules and regulations to make up for the loss.

When asked, Md Mizanur Rahman, manager of Sakura Paribahan said transports were suspended on the last Eid. But buses are now running with half of passengers. We will run buses during Eid-ul-Azha in compliance with all regulations if the government gives permission. We have all-preparations to run buses.

Humayun Kabir, owner of Saint Martin Paribahan, also Vice-President of Cumilla District Bus Owners’s Association said we had to face huge losses as buses were suspended during Eid-ul-Fitr. The government issues instruction to operate buses with limited passengers since June 1. We are following the instructions. So, I would say if the government decides to run transports according to the same rules on Eid-ul-Azha, we will increase number of buses. We have all preparations so that no passenger has to face any risk during the journey.

Khandaker Enayetullah, secretary general of Bangladesh Transport Owners’ Association said public transports are currently running with half of passengers and 60 percent extra fare across the country. We will follow instructions if the government allows to run buses during Eid-ul-Azha.

He said we all know huge rush of passengers is seen during Eid. So, there is risk of coronavirus at this time. However, to protect from this risk, we will increase the number of buses. We want to run transports according to all instructions given by the government.

Dhaka/Hasibul/AKA