Authorities to hold meeting with transport operators over crackdown on errant buses

In an effort to review the decision of a crackdown on buses that refuse to carry standing passengers in Dhaka, the authorities have decided to meet transport operators.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority or BRTA has convened a meeting at its headquarters at 4pm, also asking experts, representatives of passenger forums and the civil society to join.

Dhaka Road Transport Owners' Association President Khandker Enayet Ullah told bdnews24.com, "The BRTA has called a meeting over the situation and told us to be there."

On Tuesday, Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader told the media that he has called for a review of the decision, backed by transport operators.

His statement came days after the BRTA launched a drive against buses transporting only seated passengers for a higher fare.

The crackdown left Dhaka residents suffering as owners pulled out most buses from the streets despite threats from authorities to scrap their permits for doing so.

Earlier this month, the association said the services would be stopped by Apr 15. BRTA then began a drive against the buses on Sunday.

Brawls were reported on many buses as commuters accused transport workers of charging them extra fares. People were seen stranded with fewer buses plying the routes.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the road transport minister said that he asked the decision to be reviewed in 'public interest.'

Quader seemed apparently helpless when he described transport owners as 'influential.'

"If someone refuses to operate services, is it at all possible to force them? That’s the reality. Those involved in the transport sector are a very influential quarter."

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan is the executive president of the apex transport workers' union 'Bangladesh Transport Workers' Federation.'

State Minister Mashiur Rahman Ranga is the president of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, while Enayet Ullah, who heads the transport owners' platform in Dhaka, is a vice president of the Awami League's Dhaka metropolitan unit.