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Long-distance buses have been scarce at Dhaka’s Mohakhali Bus Terminal, leaving thousands of homebound passengers in distress.
With only two days left until Eid-ul-Azha, passengers complained that while a few buses did depart, they were charging significantly higher fares than the official rates, reports bdnews24.com.
Drivers and helpers claimed that severe traffic congestion on highways, especially in Gazipur, delayed the arrival of buses in Dhaka.
On Thursday afternoon, thousands of people were seen waiting for buses on the road outside the terminal, in the terminal building, and in nearby open spaces. After waiting for hours, many sat on their bags or spread paper on the ground to rest.
Shakil Ahmed, a passenger heading to Netrokona, said “There are no buses. I’ve been standing here for nearly three hours. They say the buses are stuck in traffic, but I’ve heard they’re not letting them leave because they want to charge extra.”
A driver from United Paribahan, operating on the Dhaka-Mymensingh route, said buses were stuck in traffic at several points on the way back from Mymensingh, which is why most could not reach the terminal.
With no buses in sight, some passengers resorted to travelling by truck. On the opposite side of the road from the Mohakhali terminal, two men were seen calling for passengers to board a truck headed to Sherpur, charging Tk 500 per person.