BRTA launches drive to end anarchy in public transport service in Dhaka

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has again launched a drive in Dhaka to end irregularities in the public transport service, particularly the anarchy in auto-rickshaw and bus fare.

Md Shah Nawaz Talukder, Director General of BRTA Enforcement Department, said they started operation of mobile courts at the capital’s Manik Mia Avenue, Jatrabarhi, and Shahbagh from 2pm on Wednesday.

He said the courts were examining the fitness and licences of vehicles and checking if buses and auto-rickshaws were charging passengers higher-than-approved fare.

Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader, who was present at Manik Mia Avenue during the raid, said, “Anarchy and indiscipline on the street can’t be ended overnight. But continuation of this sort of drives will gradually bring the situation to normal.”

He held illegal and unfit vehicles and encroachment on footpaths mainly responsible for gridlock.

"We are trying to free footpaths from encroachment in consultation with the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations.”

Abu Naser, Public Relations Officer of the road transport ministry, said, there was a lull in the drive recently.

It has been launched again taking into consideration the sufferings the passengers are going through due to irregularities in public transport service, he added.

The government revised upwards auto-rickshaw fare with effect from Nov 1 last year, but there are widespread allegations that drivers are charging passengers more than that.