Bus owners and workers went on an indefinite strike in at least 10 southern districts, including Jhenaidah, Khulna, Jashore and Satkhira from Monday morning protesting against the implementation of the newly enacted Road Transport Act-2018. On the other hand, thousands of people have been suffering transport crisis due to the transport strike. Many people were forced to use other means of transportation to reach their destinations.
The much talked-about Act came into effect from November 1. The Road Transport and Bridges Ministry issued a notification in this regard on October 22. In Khulna, intra-district bus services remained halted, causing immense suffering to the commuters. Mohamamd Nurul Islam, president of Khulna Motor Workers Union, said they went on strike to protest against the new Act.
General Secretary of Khulna District Bus-Minibus Coach Owners Association Anwar Hossain Shona said, the bus drivers did not consult them. Razia Akter, a resident of Faridpur, said she was planning to go to her village home but had to cancel the idea because of the strike.
Mamun Sheikh, a private service holder, said: “I was scheduled to travel to Dhaka but the bus company returned my money and said no bus will leave for the capital today.”
In Satkhira, bus services were unavailable on all routes. The leaders of Motor Workers Union demanded amendment to the Act. From Jhenaidah, no bus left for Kushtia, Magura, Jashore and Chuadanga since morning. The 'Road Transport Bill-2018' was passed in parliament on Sept 19 last year with provision for maximum five years' jail for any death or serious injury caused by reckless driving.
