Wrong routes make commuters suffer

Commuters in Chittagong city have been experiencing untold sufferings due to rampant route permit violation by public transports while authorities concerned remain indifferent.

Delwar Hossain, a regular passenger of route-10, said he has to change three vehicles to go to his office in Bahadderhat from Katghar everyday.

He said he is supposed to reach his destination at Kalurghat only by one bus from Sea Beach via Kathgar, EPZ, Agrabad, GEC, and Bahaddarhat intersections.

“But the drivers for more profit follow other routes and charge more fare. I would have reached my destination by spending Tk 15 but now its double. Also the hassle I go through is excruciating,” he said.

Hamidur Rahman, a New Market area resident who works at a garment factory at Karnaphuli export processing zone, said that he also faces similar sufferings.

“It is hard to find a public transport after we get off work,” he alleged.

The route-six bus must follow the points starting from Sea Beach to Laldighi via Kathgar, Cement Crossing, Barik Building, Agrabad, Dewanhat, Tigerpass, and New Market intersections, “But it only goes to Agrabad and demand Tk 20 although the fare is Tk 8 from Karnaphuli EPZ to Agrabad,” he added.

Commuters alleged none of the vehicles of route six, 10 and 11 follow their designated routes. The drivers stop at EPZ intersection; take commuters by charging double or triple fare and decide destinations out of their whim, they added.

Allegations of violation are rife in other routes too. Several bus drivers and transport leaders also alleged that the bus drivers did it simply for profit.

Abul Kalam Azad, president of Chittagong City Bus, Minibus and Human-hauler Owners' Association, said, “Drivers for profit change their destinations... Strict enforcement of law is needed to stop the practice.”

Although according to a 2015 BRTA list, around 1,000 bus and 861 human-haulers run on 13 bus and 14 human hauler routes respectively, Azad said the number of bus and human haulers could be at best 1,500.

“We take the bus on contract from the owners and have to pay a hefty amount. We also have to pay for the gas and helpers. For us to make a profit by following a specified route is near impossible. That is why we ply the routes which have more commuters,” said Md Yusuf, a bus driver of route-10.

“If everyone follows the rule then the problem will be solved,” he added.

According to a motor vehicle ordinance, no vehicle should ply a route without permit and violator would face upto three months' imprisonment or Tk 2,000 fine or both for the first time offence. For subsequent offences it is upto six months' imprisonment or Tk 5,000 fine or both.

“We always take action when we catch vehicles violating route permit. Besides, Regional Transport Committee (RTC) has received requests from some owners to change routes,” said Additional Police Commissioner Masood-ul-Hasan (traffic) of Chittagong Metropolitan Police.

“Some may have started using alternate routes before approval, which might have caused the public sufferings. We will hold a meeting of RTC next week and take a decision regarding it.”