The New Nation - Internet Edition

Unavailability of tickets of trains, buses and launches when people are in desperate need of them during Eid vacations seems to have become a problem that cannot be overcome. A large number of people leave the capital city to perform Eids with their near and dear ones living in the countryside. So there is additional pressure on the transport system during such vacations. People collect advance tickets to ensure trips back home in time. A dishonest section of the ticket sellers makes use of this high demand to earn extra money from homebound passengers. The Eid-ul-Azha is three days away. But the bus and launch operators at different terminals are reported to have been telling passengers that all tickets have already been sold out. However, on payment of extra money, tickets are still available.

It is alleged that a section of the staff at the railway stations, bus and launch terminals has engaged themselves in selling advance tickets in the black market to earn profit. Homebound people have alleged that they have to pay additional Tk 50-100 for each bus ticket and almost double the normal fare for each launch ticket. Launch passengers say they usually pay Tk 60-100 for each seat on the deck for a trip to Barisal but now they have to pay around Tk 70 more. Launch and bus terminal officials, however, claim that they are selling tickets at the rates fixed by the government. But the situation is reported to be just the opposite. This anarchic situation has been there in the transport sector for a long time. Allegations of harassment of the passengers are heard from time to time. Even the city-service buses taking advantage of the Eid rush are demanding high fare.

Lack of vigilance and monitoring by the competent authorities of the sales of tickets is responsible for such state of affairs. It is not impossible to monitor how many tickets are being sold against how many seats. At the same time it is quite possible on the part of the law enforcing agencies to ensure sale of tickets at fixed prices. Passengers are thus at the whims of the dishonest section of the bus and launch operators. The law enforcing agencies should take measures to tackle repetition of such bad practices. It is hoped that concerned agencies will act promptly and help reduce sufferings of passengers.