Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association has demanded resumption of bus services in compliance with hygiene rules during the ongoing lockdown (strict regulations) considering their sufferings.
In a statement sent to the media on Friday, association's President Moshiur Rahman Ranga and Secretary General Khandaker Enayet Ullah made the demand.
Earlier, at a press conference at the National Press Club on the same day, the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation demanded the government to resume public transports and transportation of goods in compliance with the health rules.
Their demands include providing financial assistance to transport workers and selling rice at Tk 10 per kg at bus terminals.
They will stage demonstration across the country on May 2 and will give memorandum to deputy commissioners in every district on May 4 to press home their demands.
In a statement, Moshiur Rahman Ranga and Secretary General Khandaker Enayet Ullah said, "Everything is going on except the movement of buses during the lockdown. As the buses are not running, passengers are being transported in CNG-powered autorickshaws, tempos, three-wheelers, microbuses, staff buses and even ambulances. The hygiene rules are not being followed".
"On the contrary, health risks are increasing. In case of lockdown, if the bus runs with half of the passengers in the seat, i e 1 passenger in 2 seats, there will be no risk of coronavirus spread," he added.
They also said that there is anger among transport owners and workers across the country as they are starving. Road blocks and protests are going on in different districts including Dhaka urging the government to allow plying of buses. Millions of workers are unemployed. Many poor bus owners are living helplessly with bank loan instalments.
Considering these aspects, they demanded the government on behalf of the owners across the country to introduce plying of buses as also providing food assistance to the unemployed workers.
