Now almost all buses are seating services although most of the buses do not have minimum facilities for the passengers, particularly those of Gazipur Paribahan that travel from Motijheel to Gazipur. As there are no fare charts on display in the buses, conductors charge double the fare from passengers. This often leads to heated altercations between conductors and passengers.
In reality, people have to struggle hard to travel short distances. There are however one or two exceptions but it is difficult for passengers particularly for the ladies to board these exceptional buses. Long distance bus services are relatively better as the two sides, i.e., the bus conductors and passengers do not have to haggle over fares. The passengers, who use local bus services in Dhaka regularly, feel very uncomfortable with poor service and the prevailing situation in bus service. They have to face a number of problems like long waiting period, traffic jam, unfair amount of fare, unavailability of seats, rude behaviour of staff members, delayed boarding time, discomfort inside a bus and inadequacy of vehicles during peak hours, etc.
The authorities concerned should make sure that all buses have authorised fare charts and only due fares are realised from passengers. They should take effective steps to improve the conditions prevailing in road transport sector and reduce the sufferings of commuters.
Mawduda Hasnin
mawduda@gmail.com