'Take action against bus operators charging high fare'

Paribesh Bachao Andolon (Save the Environment Movement) forms a human chain at Shahbagh in the city yesterday protesting the increase in bus fare. PHOTO: STAR

Some operators are charging Tk four to five per kilometre in the name of special service while the government-fixed rate is 83 paisa, they said at a rally at Shahbagh in the city.

They also demanded rearrangement of routes for all passenger buses for the interest of general people.

Save the Environment Movement organised the rally, with its Convenor Abu Naser Khan in the chair.

The speakers called for formation of a committee, comprising civil society members and government representatives, which will fix bus fare and bus routes.

The bus fare has increased due to fuel price hike, but the CNG-run vehicles are also charging extra fare even though the price of CNG remains the same, they said.

They also criticised the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) for its failure to bring discipline to this sector.

Freedom fighter Shahjahan Mridha Benu, Coordinator of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra Golam Kibria, Advocate Abed Reza, Dr Jesmine Ara Sultana, Md Shafiqul Islam and Md Nazim Uddin spoke at the rally.