Sleeper buses cannot hit highways without BRTA nod: HC

The High Court has ruled that sleeper buses cannot operate on highways without approval from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), rejecting a plea by bus owners seeking permission to run the vehicles.

A bench led by Justice KM Hafizul Alam issued the order on Wednesday (September 9), saying only buses authorised by the BRTA can operate on the roads.

BRTA lawyer Md Rafiul Islam said the Sleeper Bus Owners Association had approached the court seeking permission to operate sleeper buses on highways. The court, however, did not grant the request.

He said Section 40 of the Road Transport Act, 2018 sets technical specifications and standards for vehicles. Any vehicle found violating those requirements may face prosecution under Sections 80 and 84, which carry a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to Tk 300,000.

The lawyer also pointed to Section 28 of the law, which prohibits vehicles from operating on roads without a valid route permit.

According to Rafiul, the court made it clear that only buses approved by the BRTA may operate on the roads. The authority has not currently approved sleeper buses for operation, and the High Court did not grant separate permission for them.