Drivers, bus owners trade blame as they race for cash

Bus drivers in Dhaka are least bothered about a rise in the number of accidents and tend to justify their reckless driving as an inevitable outcome of the ‘income target’ fixed by company owners.

Those not having a fixed income target still get into racing with other buses to earn more or to please the owners.

They said most bus owners fix an amount to be given to them while some bus companies calculate earnings according to the waybill that compels them to vie for more passengers.

This unhealthy, fierce competition leads to regular bumping between buses that leaves the vehicles tattered or partially broken.

Owners, on the other hand, blamed the accidents on uncontrolled bus drivers with a history of drug addiction.

On Apr 3, Rajib Hossain, a student of Government Titumir College, lost his left arm in a race of two buses in Dhaka. Rajib succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Tuesday.

Although Rajib’s death sparked huge public outrage, it never moved the drivers.

Shipon, the driver of Anabil Paribahan interviewed on Tuesday morning at Pragati Sarani, said racing with other buses left his bus in a dilapidated state when asked about the faded colour, loosened bumper and broken indicator and back lights.

He kept on looking anxiously backwards through the right window while talking to this reporter. He was desperate to keep some distance from the next bus just behind him.

"All he needs is money! Moreover, he did not deploy the buses as a beauty quotient to the roads," he replied when asked if the owner minds the shabby state of his bus.

He claimed the bus drivers engage themselves in a race but without causing any inconvenience to the passengers.

Two buses of Suprobhat Paribahan running on the Sadarghat-Gazipur route had been fined Tk 2,200 each by traffic police for racing on Tuesday morning at Kuril.

"Racing is a common scene on the streets," said Rabbi, another driver.

He said they earn their living only after paying the fixed amount of Tk 3,800 to the owner and bearing all other expenses, including Tk 4,000 as fuel cost, food bills and other expenses.

Bus helper Nurunnabi told bdnews24.com that they always try to drive ahead of others expecting to get more passengers on board. "Our income increases and owners tend to provide bonuses based on it," he said.

Almas Ali, a passenger waiting at the Kuril bus stand, told bdnews24.com that the unhealthy competition between buses takes the toll on common people.

"The way they drive makes you feel you'll be run over any moment by them," he said.

The intersection at Mirpur 10 was seen with three rows of buses haphazardly stuck on Tuesday afternoon. They were trying to move by bumping each other from rear or from left side.

Driver Nasir Uddin of Mirpur Link Paribahan said he engages in racing for more income as the owner always compares their income with other buses on the same route; even if he does not ask for a fixed amount.

Mohammed Mizan, a bus driver of Alif Paribahan on the Gabtoli-Rampura route, admitted that buses are harmed by the competition.

"We get paid as commission: I get Tk 110 in every Tk 1,000 while my helper gets Tk 70. We are bound to race like this that ends in bumping with other buses and breaking the looking glass almost every day," he said.

Driver Abdus Sobhan of Dewan Paribahan believes the race between buses will automatically end if owners abolish the "target for cash” practice.

However, Managing Director of Tetulia Paribahan Abdul Wadud Masum denied the allegation by drivers and blamed them on the contrary.

"It's true that we fix a target; but they are killing people, bumping other buses in the name of competition. It allows them to get enough passengers if they operate the buses with a gap of 2-3 minutes. The competition does not help them make more trips," he said.

Masum also said lack of skilled drivers is the reason behind the problem.

"We need to service a bus four times a year because of the lack of skilled drivers.”

Mehdi Hasan Belal, owner of Prochesta Paribahan, blamed 'drug addiction' of drivers for their reckless driving.

"Drivers are steeped in drug addiction; they need counselling and should be made aware of the value of life, family and savings," he said in a meeting between transport owners and workers on the issue of disciplining the public transport sector in Dhaka last week.

Transport expert Dr SM Saleh Uddin blamed a lack of discipline in public transport for the death of college student Rajib.

Saleh Uddin, former executive director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, believes only 'rerouting' of the buses can bring back discipline to Dhaka's public transport sector.

"Buses run on 242 routes at present but there will be six routes when the new system is introduced. It will reduce the unhealthy competition and all passengers will be able to catch any bus they want. Bus operators will be able to get enough passengers without engaging them in competition.”