Transport owners' feud halts Rajbari-Dhaka bus services

The bus owners' association of Rajbari has called a strike starting Monday morning following a feud with Golden Line Paribahan owners. No bus has left Rajbari for Dhaka since early Monday.

One of Rajbari Transport Owners group members confirmed the suspension of bus services on the route.

The sudden suspension of bus services on the Dhaka-Rajbari route inconvenienced passengers, many of whom were forced to return from the counters. Some of the passengers resorted to alternative transportation methods such as cars, autorickshaws, vans, and Mahindras to reach Daulatdia Ghat.

It was learned that bus owner community, buses in Rajbari are not permitted to cross Padma Bridge. However, Golden Line buses were crossing the bridge. Additionally, Golden Line was running trips without consulting Rajbari's transport owners. When the transport owners attempted to intervene, Golden Line allegedly vandalized bus counters in Gabtoli, Dhaka.

Following a meeting between Bus-Truck Owners Association and Rajbari Bus Owners, it was settled that Golden Line will be permitted only two trips. But defying the decision, they have been running more trips.

Last Friday the bus owners' association of Rajbari's forcibly got the passengers down from a Golden Line bus in front of the Bus Owners Association and sent them back to Dhaka. This is where the conflict begins.

Attempts were made to contact Rajbari Bus Owners Association General Secretary Abdur Razzak Liton, but no comment was received as his mobile phone was switched off.