The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Commuters in the city suffered a lot to reach their respective destinations, as most of the CNG-run buses remained inoperative yesterday following enhancement of the rate of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by the government.

Chaos, altercation and even scuffles were marked between the passengers and the bus staffs, as most of the CNG-run buses unilaterally increased the fare being affected from last Friday.

Some of the CNG-run buses are charging extra fares from the passengers despite the government decision not to raise the fare.

Office-goers, college and university students were hard hit by the illegal move taken by some bus owners in different routes. Most of the buses operating from Motijheel to Mohamamdpur, Mirpur and Uttara areas did not ply on the road.

Passengers at Motijheel alleged that the bus staffs of some routes whimsically charged high fare from them.

They called upon the Government to take stern action against the culprits for increasing the fare.

When asked about the reason of charging additional fare from the passengers, a bus driver of Motijheel to Mohamamdpur route said that they had been asked by the bus owners to increase the bus fare.

Preferring not to be named a bus owner said they did not raise the fare. He admitted that some unscrupulous bus owners might have increased the same.

He called upon the Government to take action against those who are violating the Government orders.

The price of CNG has been raised to Tk 16.75 from Tk 8.50 per cubic metre effective from last Friday.

The price of per cubic metre was fixed at Tk 8.50 on June 13,2005 against Tk 35 of per litre of Octane, which was 25 per cent of the price of Octane. Currently, the price of Octane is Tk 67 per litre.