The owners of long route AC bus services are charging more than double the price of the Eid advance tickets as the road regulatory body distances itself from the operators.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, which is responsible to control, manage, and ensure discipline in the road transport sector, said it can’t do anything on the AC buses’ ticket fare citing legal jurisdiction.
On Friday (May 31), a BTRA’s mobile court led by an executive magistrate raided the capital’s Gabtoli bus terminal where a passenger complained against J R Paribahan charging Tk 1,300 for AC bus ticket instead of Tk 700.
As the mobile curt found the allegation true, the magistrate was all set to slap the bus operator with a fine but it couldn’t after the BRTA chief intervened.
Chairman of BRTA Mashiur Rahman who was present at the terminal’s control room told the mobile court to not take either any action or set any fine against J R Paribahan.
“We can’t take action on [charging extra fare for AC bus ticket] as the issue falls under no legal framework of any policy, guideline or law,” he told Bangla Tribune.
BTRA has fixed fare rate for bus except AC bus services.
“[AC-bus] owners themselves set the ticket fare,” explained Rahman admitting that whatever the fare the bus operators are charging the BTRA can’t do anything against them.
Passenger alleged that no action is taken even if they lodge complaint on charging extra fare rather more hassle creates as the operators often stop selling the tickets.
Asked why charging more, manager of J R Paribanhan, Nazimuddin, told Bangla Tribune that they try to minimize the cost of rerun trips as the coaches returned to the capital empty.
“Won’t we have to minimize the loss? Or, will we incur the loss?” asked the managed before admitting to charge extra fare for Eid advance ticket.
“Everyone does so during Eid. If we face loss why should we provide service to the passengers?” Nazimuddin defended himself.
Bangla Tribune reached Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader on the matter.
“Charging ticket fare has to have a limit. A ticket fare at Tk 700 can never be charged at Tk 1,300 in any way,” said the minster.
Later, Quader asked the BRTA chief to sit with the bus operators to come up with solution.
BRTA chief Rahman, however, said no one is yet to make a complaint on extra fare for AC bus ticket.
“If anybody comes up with an allegation we will decide then,” he said.