Eid travel fare overcharging may break 20-year record: Passenger Welfare Association

Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has said that the anarchy of fare overcharging during this Eid journey may break the record of the last 20 years. Association Secretary General Md Mozammel Haque Chowdhury made this claim in a message sent to the media on Wednesday, March 18.

According to the association's observations, despite government directives, fare overcharging is ongoing in various public transports including buses and minibuses. This anarchy has also begun in city buses in the capital and other cities from Wednesday. The same picture is visible on most waterway routes, the statement noted.

According to the association's data, approximately 4 million passenger trips may be made on inter-district and long-distance buses and minibuses this Eid. Additionally, there is potential for around 6 million passenger trips on city services. This information was presented based on monitoring the travel situation, advance ticket management and related activities from March 14 to 18.

The message alleged that fare overcharging is occurring in about 87 per cent of buses and minibuses. Examples of charging double or more compared to normal fares on various routes were highlighted. The fare rate is increasing as Eid approaches, it was stated.

Allegations were also made of irregularities such as forcing passengers to buy tickets for distant destinations instead of providing tickets for their intended destination. It was also noted that although fares for 40-seat and 52-seat buses differ, in many cases overcharging is being done at the same rate.

The association stated that while driver and assistant salaries, allowances and Eid bonuses are included in the fare, in reality these are not paid. This fare anarchy in the transport sector continues due to price hikes, extortion, increased costs and the desire for higher profits.

According to calculations, on long-distance routes, each passenger is having to pay an average of Tk 350 extra, which could result in total excess collection of approximately Tk 121.8 crore. On the other hand, about Tk 26.1 crore may be collected from overcharging on city buses. Overall, it is feared that approximately Tk 148 crore may be collected as excess fare during Eid travel.

To address this situation, Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has demanded the introduction of digital transactions in public transport, discontinuation of cash transactions, strengthening surveillance through CCTV cameras on roads and highways, and ensuring good governance of law.