Bhola transport workers protest alleged harassment by bus operators, demand operational reforms
Photo Collected
Workers representing CNG-run autorickshaws, auto-tempos, and similar transport unions in Bhola’s Charfashion and Lalmohan upazilas held a protest Tuesday to demand improved working conditions and relief from alleged harassment by local bus owners. The hour-long demonstration took place in front of the Bhola Press Club, concluding with the submission of a formal memorandum to the district administrator outlining 10 key grievances.
The unions are calling for the legal authorization to carry five passengers, a reduction in compressed natural gas (CNG) prices, and an immediate end to systemic intimidation. Union representatives, including Baharul Islam and Nazrul Islam, alleged that members of the local bus owners’ association have been forcibly seizing passengers, vandalizing vehicles, and physically assaulting drivers on the Charfashion-Bhola route. They have demanded a thorough investigation into these incidents and justice for those affected.
From the owners’ perspective, the economic reality of the current regulatory environment is unsustainable. According to Salim, general secretary of the Charfashion Autorickshaw Owners’ Association, many drivers are operating at a loss due to high fuel costs and restrictions on passenger capacity. He noted that five-passenger occupancy is often necessary to accommodate families traveling in rural areas and to maintain financial viability.
In response to the allegations, Aminul Islam Khan, president of the Bhola Bus Owners’ Association, denied any involvement by his members in the reported acts of violence. He emphasized that the current Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) regulations strictly limit autorickshaws to three passengers, characterizing the push for higher capacity as a violation of existing traffic laws.
The memorandum submitted by the workers encompasses a broad range of demands, including the construction of designated vehicle stands, medical support for injured drivers, compensation for damaged property, and the protection of their right to operate according to standard transport laws.
Bhola Deputy Commissioner Shamim Rahman confirmed receipt of the memorandum. He stated that the local administration will conduct a thorough review of the 10-point demand to determine whether they can be implemented within the existing legal framework.
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