Empty seats haunt bus terminals as holiday rush fails to meet expectations

Despite the onset of the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday travel season, bus terminals in the capital have presented a desolate look, with transport operators struggling to find passengers for several key routes.

At the Mohakhali bus terminal, a Sonar Bangla Paribahan bus bound for Sherpur left at 4:30pm on Tuesday with only nine passengers on board.

The driver’s reluctance to depart was evident as the vehicle crawled toward the expressway entrance, where the helper continued to scout for travellers.

The situation led to a brief standoff with traffic police, who forced the bus to move forward to prevent congestion.

"Sir, we only have nine passengers. We won't find anyone else further down the road," the helper pleaded before the threat of a police fine compelled the driver to accelerate.

The traveller shortage was widespread across Mohakhali, affecting routes to Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sherpur, Jamalpur, and Brahmanbaria.

While major operators like Hanif, Nabil, and Shyamoli reported "full bookings" for their morning trips from Gabtoli, smaller companies struggled significantly.

"I worked so hard to get a slot at Mohakhali, but I only have 13 passengers. How will we cover costs during the Eid season with this?" asked Belal Hossain, a conductor for Rajib Enterprise.

Counter staff attributed the thin crowds to schools closing early, allowing families to leave Dhaka well in advance.

"The real rush was on Monday night after offices closed. Since then, it’s been quiet, though we expect another surge on Tuesday evening," a manager at Gabtoli said.

Online ticketing platforms reflected the lack of demand.

As of 5:15pm Tuesday, digital platforms showed between 20 and 34 vacant seats on different AC and non-AC buses bound for Sylhet and Chattogram.

While non-AC buses to northern districts like Thakurgaon and Panchagarh were mostly booked, high-end AC sleeper and "suite class" coaches remained largely empty.

In response to the low turnout, some companies have begun slashing ticket prices for last-minute departures.

While the journey out of Dhaka has been uncharacteristically smooth, drivers countered a new crisis: a fuel shortage.

Morsalin, a driver for Saikat Paribahan arriving from Gaibandha, noted that while the roads were clear, finding diesel was a struggle.

"I had to fight for an hour at a pump in Palashbari just to get enough to reach Dhaka," he said.