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Large crowds have gathered at major bus operator counters from Friday morning to purchase advance tickets for Eid trips. While some travellers reported slight overcharging on fares, most were happy to have received the tickets.
Staff at the counters mentioned that Eid journeys will begin on Mar 25, coinciding with the Independence Day holiday. The week-long holiday has ensured that no customers return empty-handed from the counters.
Following visits to various bus counters in the capital’s Shyamoli, Kalyanpur, and Gabtoli, it was seen that only the major bus operators attracted crowds, whereas the smaller bus operators saw little to no rush.
Staff from the smaller operators said that most of their tickets have been sold online, except for a few passengers buying directly from the counters. They said that the only way to sell off the remaining tickets would be by increasing the number of last-minute trips.
On Shyamoli Ring Road, only Hanif Enterprise counters saw swarms of customers, most of whom were buying tickets for northern districts like Panchagarh and Thakurgaon. The queue of customers waiting for their tickets stretched from the counters onto the pavement.
A similar crowd was seen at the Hanif Enterprise head office counters in Balurmath, selling tickets for all northern districts, including Bogura, Rangpur, and Kurigram.
Hanif Enterprise General Manager Mosharraf Hossain said that since the Eid holiday spans six to seven days, they are able to provide tickets accordingly. He also mentioned that all of their tickets are available online.
Shanto Rahman, a passenger heading to Naogaon, bought seven tickets. Although the fare to Naogaon was previously Tk 680 to 700, it has been increased to Tk 820 for Eid. However, he has no regrets and is simply happy to have secured the tickets.
Regarding the increased ticket price, Mosharraf said: “We are not charging more than the original ticket price. Normally, we charge less than the rates set by the BRTA, but during Eid, we charge the original rate.”
Anisur Rahman, who bought a ticket to Rangpur for Mar 25, said the process was quick.
“Tickets are available. I had to buy the ticket to Rangpur for Tk 860. Usually, the tickets cost Tk 750 to 800,” he said.
Explaining the fare calculation system, Shyamoli Paribahan’s Ring Road counter worker Md Sohag said: “For those complaining about high fares, you might notice on their tickets that they will be getting off at a middle stop but have purchased a ticket for a longer route. Many companies charge the full fare for the entire route during Eid.”
“For example, if the bus is going to Panchagarh, and someone gets off at Rangpur, they will be charged the full fare to Panchagarh. On the other hand, if someone buys a ticket for a bus that goes to Rangpur, the fare will not change,” he added.