Bus services suspended indefinitely on all routes in Kushtia

Only Dhaka-bound buses are running on Friday due to pre-sold tickets

Operators have suspended bus services on all routes from Kushtia in response to a conflict with local CNG-run autorickshaw drivers.

The indefinite strike was called from Friday by the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners and Workers Unity Council to protest against the assault on bus drivers and workers, as well as the vandalism of vehicles, said Afzal Hossain, general secretary of the Kushtia District Motor Workers’ Union.

However, long-distance buses from Kushtia to Dhaka would continue to operate on Friday since advance tickets were already sold, he added.

Passengers on other routes have been left stranded and they have called for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict between bus and CNG-run autorickshaw drivers.

Shahin Ali, traveling with his family from Kumarkhali to Daulatpur, faced severe difficulties upon reaching Majampur in Kushtia, as all buses and autorickshaws on the route had stopped operating.

“We don’t think about others, only about our own issues. The sudden suspension of buses has left many stranded, forcing them to return home in frustration,” he said.

Sabiya Khatun, who was receiving treatment for lung complications at the 250-bed Kushtia General Hospital, was also affected.

Despite being discharged from the hospital, she was unable to return home due to the transport disruption.

“Some battery-run auto-rickshaws are passing by, but they are charging Tk 50 for a Tk 10 ride. It’s unbearable. It seems no one is concerned about our suffering.”

Union leader Afzal said the conflict began on Tuesday in Bheramara, where disputes between bus and autorickshaw drivers came to blow.

“At one point, autorickshaw drivers attacked several of our drivers and workers. As a result, buses on the Meherpur Pragpur and Mahishkundi routes from Kushtia were temporarily halted for safety reasons.”

He said services resumed after receiving assurances from the army, district administration, and police.

“However, on Thursday, autorickshaw drivers again assaulted bus drivers and vandalised vehicles, prompting the transport strike,” he added.

Solaiman Master, general secretary of the CNG-driven Auto-rickshaw Workers’ Association, said CNG-run autorickshaw drivers have long been subjected to verbal abuse and harassment by bus drivers.

“They’ve been mistreated for years, and now they’re retaliating. The bus drivers blame everything on us, but we just want a peaceful resolution. There’s no need for rivalry over livelihoods,” he added.

Sharmin Akhter, acting deputy commissioner of Kushtia, said the authorities are taking the public inconvenience seriously and have scheduled a meeting with the parties involved on Friday evening.

“We hope to reach a solution soon,” she added.