Bus strike in districts protesting new law

Bus owners, drivers and workers have gone on an indefinite strike in different districts across the country to protest the implementation of the new road transport law.

General passengers have been suffering the sudden shutdown of the bus without any prior announcement. 

They are trying to reach their destinations by paying extra fare to Nasimon, Karimon and Easy-bike.

The much-talked-about act came into effect from November 1. A notification in this regard was issued on October 22 by the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry.

Reports sent by Samakal Offices and Correspondents:

Narail: 

Transport workers have stopped bus service on the five internal routes of Narail without prior announcement. 

Movement of buses has been closed on these routes since Sunday evening, causing immense suffering to the commuters of different destinations.

It is learned that the transport owners-workers oikya parishad formed a human chain in front of the Narail Press Club on Sunday demanding realisation of an 11-point demand, including amendment to the provisions of jail, fines of the Road Transport Act-2018.

They later submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of Narail.

Sadek Khan, joint general secretary of Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation and general secretary of Narail District Bus Minibus Workers' Union, said on Monday morning that the organization had not taken any decision on closing the bus.

Satkhira: 

Workers have stopped movement of buses from Satkhira since Monday morning, throwing the travelers into extreme misery.

Transport leaders demanded that the new road transport law could be implemented after its amendment. If it is not fixed, bus movement will be kept halted.

Kushtia: 

Workers are observing bus strike in Kushtia demanding amendment to some sections of the Road Transport Act 2018. 

As a result, inter-district bus service with Kushtia has been kept closed. Although some of the Dhaka-bound buses are on the way, most of the buses are not plying in Kushtia since morning.

President of Kushtia Motor Workers Union, Mahabul Islam, said most transports do not have a license. Besides, there is no fitness of the transports. In this case, it is not possible to operate the transports taking risks of facing cases. So, the workers have kept bus service halted.

Jessore: 

The transport workers of Jessore have stopped bus service for the second consecutive day. Since Sunday afternoon, they voluntarily went on work abstention demanding amendment to the new road transport law. 

After a meeting with the administration at night, the bus service was slightly normal, but the transport workers stopped the service again at around 10 am on Monday, putting hundreds of passengers in trouble.

Meherpur: 

Workers have stopped bus service on all inter-district routes in Meherpur demanding amendment to the new road transportation law.

At around 12:30 pm on Monday, the drivers decided not to run the bus on Meherpur-Chuadanga, Meherpur-Kushtia, Meherpur-Mujibnagar roads. 

Chuadanga: 

Workers have stopped bus movement in Chuadanga to protest the new transport law.

So, no inter and long-route bus left from Chuadanga on Monday. 

Magura: 

Bus service has been kept closed on Magura-Jessore road for the second consecutive day in protest of the new road transport act, creating untold sufferings to the commuters.

Natore:

The number of passenger buses on Natore roads was seen very thin since Monday morning.

Transport workers said drivers are scared to drive buses under the new road transport law. 

Besides, bus strikes have started in different districts across the country. This has reduced the number of passenger buses on the roads, they added.