Risky return to capital for holidaymakers

With the scarcity of bus tickets and transport companies charging extra, low-income people of the northern districts hoping to return back to their workplaces in the capital after Eid vacation are facing crisis while many are travelling on the rooftops of trains, trucks and covered-vans to reach their destinations, putting their lives in peril.

Visiting several bus counters at Thanthania, Satmatha, Tinmatha, Charmatha, Banani, Sherpur, Mokamtola, Dupchanchia and Nandigram of Bogra, this correspondent saw travellers paying Tk 600 to Tk 700 to reach the capital, whereas the usual fares range from Tk 320 to Tk 350.

The counters' sources said most of the tickets for September 15 to 25 were sold out before September 12.

“Usually I pay around Tk 300 to go to the capital,” said Nurul Islam, a garments worker, who bought a ticket at Tinmatha, adding, “But I had to pay Tk 600.”

Shourov Paul, a factory worker, said, “I have no other option but to pay the extra amount. I have to return back to work in time.”

The low-income people, anxious to reach Savar, Baipail, Gazipur and the capital were seen travelling on the back of the trucks or pick-up vans for Tk 60 to Tk 150 each and Tk 150 to Tk 250 to sit inside, which were also getting occupied fast.

Risking lives, many were seen riding on top of the trucks, buses and covered-vans, laden with goods.

“What choices do we have,” said Ehsan Ali, a garments worker. “I cannot pay the extra amount.”

Transport workers at the Satmatha bus stand admitted that they were charging Tk 100 extra from passengers, reasoning that they had to return with their vehicles empty.

The workers at the Thanthania, Tinmatha and Charmatha areas also echoed them.

Contacted, Gaziur Rahman, senior assistant superintendent of police (B circle and media) of Bogra, said police were keeping vigilance on the sufferings of the passengers and also preventing extortion on the highways.