Dhaka-Jamalpur bus services suspended over attacks on vehicles, staff

Long-distance bus services on the Dhaka-Jamalpur route have been suspended since Thursday morning (September 3) following allegations of vandalism and robbery involving two buses, leaving passengers stranded and facing severe inconvenience.

The Jamalpur District Bus-Minibus Owners’ Association announced the suspension late Wednesday night, saying services would remain halted until the demands of bus owners and operators were addressed.

The dispute stems from a road accident in Laherikanda area of Jamalpur Sadar upazila on Monday evening, when a Rajib Paribahan bus collided head-on with a battery-powered auto-rickshaw. The bus overturned onto the three-wheeler, leaving four people dead and at least 15 injured.

Following the accident, local residents organised a human chain in Nandina area on Wednesday afternoon, demanding a halt to Rajib Paribahan services, alleging that its buses frequently operate recklessly on the Jamalpur-Mymensingh route.

During the programme, some locals allegedly vandalised two Rajib Paribahan buses travelling from Dhaka to Jamalpur.

Bus operators alleged that the vehicles were extensively damaged and that several staff members were assaulted and robbed of cash. They said the attacks had created serious security concerns for drivers and other transport workers.

The operators are demanding legal action against those involved in the alleged attacks and adequate security before resuming services. No long-distance buses left Jamalpur Central Bus Terminal from Thursday morning.

Harun-or-Rashid, joint convener of the Jamalpur District Bus-Minibus Owners’ Association, said bus workers were being attacked despite accidents not being intentional.

“We are concerned about our safety. Bus operators cannot be expected to work under such conditions. Services will remain suspended until security is ensured,” he said.

The suspension has left passengers in trouble, particularly those travelling to Dhaka for work and other urgent purposes.

Alif, a private-sector employee, said he arrived at the terminal in the morning expecting to travel to Dhaka but found the services suspended. “If I had boarded a bus in the morning, I could have reached Dhaka by noon or 1pm. Now there are no buses, and there is no train either,” he said.

Nazmus Sakib, officer-in-charge (OC) of Jamalpur Sadar Police Station, said, "Police would speak with the bus operators and try to resolve the situation as quickly as possible."