Ride-sharing incomes plummet as fuel shortage hits Khagrachhari

The escalating conflict in the Middle East has sent ripples through the remote hills of Khagrachhari, where a severe fuel shortage has disrupted the local transport network and slashed the earnings of thousands of ride-sharing motorcyclists.

In a region where narrow, winding roads make larger vehicles impractical, motorcycles serve as the primary mode of public transport.

The impact on the livelihoods of the district's estimated 5,000 rental motorcyclists has been devastating.

According to them, their daily earnings have seen a dramatic decline as bikes remain idle in long queues at filling stations.

Ride-sharers’ previous average daily income was Tk 1,200–Tk 1,500, but it has now dropped to below Tk 200–Tk 300.

"We used to earn enough to support our families comfortably," said Md Farhad, a biker.

"Now, we can’t even make Tk 200. I don't know how I will run my household."

Another motorcyclist Al Amin described waiting six hours at a pump only to receive Tk 100 worth of fuel -- hardly enough for a single long-distance trip.

"I am not even getting a litre of oil. How can I take passengers?" he asked.

In the absence of a formal bus or taxi network in many parts of the nine Upazilas, residents of remote hilly areas are now almost stranded.

"In the deep hills, motorcycles and 'Chander Gari' (local customised jeeps) are our only hope," explained Md Ibrahim, another biker.

Filling station owners claim their hands are tied.

Rajesh Dey, manager of the KC Filling Station, denied allegations of hoarding.

"We are not stockpiling any oil. We are distributing whatever we receive from the depots immediately, but the supply is a fraction of the demand," he said.