Govt may resume public transport services before Eid: Obaidul Quader

1 May 2021, 09:12 AM

UPDATED 1 May 2021, 15:15 PM

Movement restrictions to rein in the pandemic has led to some 80,000 buses being taken off the streets. With bank loans prevailing against nearly all of them, the owners apprehend missing instalment payments if they are not allowed to run for an extended period. The photo was taken at Khilgaon Chowdhury Para in the capital recently. Photo: SK Enamul Huq

The government is considering the resumption of public transport services across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today.

The government is considering the resumption of public transport services across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today.

Addressing the media at his official residence in Dhaka, the minister also urged transport owners and workers not to resort to protests over the issue. "Be patient" was his message to the aggrieved owners and workers.

For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.

Public transport services were suspended in Bangladesh on April 5, with the government announcing a countrywide "lockdown" to curb the spread of coronavirus.

On Friday, the transport owners' association urged the government to immediately resume bus services in the country. The association also demanded food assistance for unemployed transport workers.

In a statement, the association said that anger is brewing among owners and workers of public transport vehicles over indefinite suspension of operations.