FROM PAGE 3

Osman Ali, general secretary of the federation, said they would help the government to implement the exact fare rate.

The government raised bus fare up to 28 percent on Sunday, following the price hike of diesel and kerosene by 23 percent, or Tk 15 per litre, on November 3.

THE ROAD TO DECISION

In April 2017, transport owners attempted to stop “seating service” buses in the capital, amid widespread allegations that the buses were charging extra fares.

Following the attempt, BRTA, in association with transport associations’ vigilance teams, conducted mobile courts to stop the practice.

But the move backfired, as a good number of buses were withdrawn from roads for five consecutive days, causing immense sufferings to commuters.

Against this backdrop, BRTA suspended their drive and formed an eight-member committee to make recommendations for ensuring quality public transport service for passengers in Dhaka.

Led by Mahbub-e-Rabbani, director (road safety) of BRTA, the committee on October 15 that year gave seven recommendations for “seating service” and 26 for the public transport sector, insiders said.

But, Dhaka Metro Regional Transport Committee (MRTC) did not agree with the recommendations, Enayet said.

“We held a meeting with some bus owners today [yesterday], and they agreed to scrap the seating service.”

“We have given them till Saturday to execute the decision,” Enayet told The Daily Star last night.

“We are hopeful about successfully implementing the decision,” he further said.

But, many passengers, including women commuters, said they need the service, and they would face problems, once the system is scrapped.

Asked about the matter, Enayet said, “Problems will remain whether we keep the system or abolish it.”

HOW MANY CNG-RUN BUSES IN THE CAPITAL?

Enayet claimed that only 3.26 percent of the buses run on CNG.

He said that they have collected information from 120 companies, which operate some 6,000 buses in Dhaka and adjacent areas. Of the buses, only 196 are CNG-run buses.

Besides, almost all the long-route buses run on diesel.

Enayet said many media organisations reported that around 80 to 90 percent buses run on CNG, which is not true.