Public transport crisis causing great suffering in the capital

The government has increased the price of all types of fuel oil. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources announced the increase in the prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene and octane on Friday (05 August) night. After that, there has been a severe public transport crisis in the capital since the morning of Saturday (06 August).

After visiting various parts of the capital it is seen that, hundreds of people are standing on the streets waiting for buses. Even if a bus arrives on some route after a long wait, many people rush to board it. Many buses were also seen moving with the gate locked after seeing this situation. As a result, people are not getting public transport in most cases.

Meanwhile, it has been raining in the capital since Saturday morning. As a result, people have suffered more due to rain. Especially office goers and school going students have suffered. Some left on foot after not getting any public transport. Such scene was seen in Mirpur, Technical, Kalyanpur, Shyamoli areas of the capital since morning.

Many passengers standing on the road waiting for the bus said that they have never seen such a crisis in public transport on any Saturday.

A person named Russell who was waiting for the bus said to the reporters, I work in a private company. I have to go to office even on Saturday. I have been standing since morning. I can't get any bus. Meanwhile, it's office time.

Meanwhile, the drivers and assistants of the buses plying on the road say that the transport owners are not plying their vehicles on the road due to the sudden increase in fuel prices on Friday night. They are looking forward to the government's decision to increase transport fares.

Many passengers expressed their anger and said that due to the increase in the price of fuel, not only in the public transport sector, but also in the transportation of goods, the fare will increase, which will have an impact on the price of goods. Unprecedented crisis may arise in these areas also due to lack of coordination.

The new price of fuel oil came into effect after 12 pm on Friday. The price of diesel and kerosene has been increased by Tk 34 to Tk 114 per litre, the price of petrol has been increased by Tk 44 to Tk 130 and the price of octane has been increased by Tk 46 to Tk 135. Earlier, the retail price of diesel at the consumer level was Tk 80 per liter, Tk 80 of kerosene, Tk 89 of octane and Tk 86 of petrol.