Notice not to give BRTC buses to government institutions

A legal notice has been sent to the government demanding the immediate stoppage of renting out BRTC buses to government institutions to resolve the public transport crisis of common people.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan Mamun sent this notice in the public interest to the Cabinet Secretary, the Secretary of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, the Secretary of the Finance Ministry and the Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) on Tuesday.

The notice stated that 100 percent of the buses in the BRTC fleet must be made open for general passengers. At the same time the government institutions must arrange to buy their own buses or hire transport services from the private sector for the commuting of their officers and employees.

The notice further stated that BRTC was established with the tax money of the people with the aim of ensuring safe and affordable transport for general citizens. But the institution has rented out a large part of its fleet to various government ministries and agencies. As a result general passengers are being deprived of the service of the required number of buses and are facing an extreme transport crisis by not getting buses on the roads.

Necessary steps have been asked to be taken on this matter within 10 days of receiving the notice. Otherwise a writ will be filed in the High Court, the notice mentioned.