Photo: Collected
The AC bus service "Chattala Chaka" on the Oxygen-Fatikchhari route was suspended indefinitely, causing widespread dissatisfaction among passengers.
Chattala Chaka Express authorities on Friday, announced the indefinite suspension of the AC bus service on the Oxygen-Fatikchhari route in an official facebook page. Consequently, no buses operated on this route from Saturday morning, sparking protests from regular passengers. A formal complaint was also lodged with the Nazirhat-Khagrachari Bus Minibus Owners' Association regarding the matter.
It was alleged that some other unscrupulous bus owners were trying to disrupt the service to force the passengers to use their non AC transports. However, the Transport Owners' Association assured its cooperation to resume the AC bus service.
According to the complaint, the AC bus service, launched in response to a longstanding demand of Fatikchhari residents, had significantly reduced travel discomfort on this route. However, certain bus owners allegedly aim to harass passengers by forcing the suspension of this service. If the AC service remains unavailable, passengers will have to endure difficulties in local buses.
Mohammad Yusuf, the headmaster of Fatikchhari Girls' High School, expressed his concerns.
"I commute daily from Oxygen to my workplace in Fatikchhari. The AC bus service has minimized my travel discomfort. If this service is discontinued, we will face the inconveniences of local buses again. I urge the continuation of this service. However, I request Chattala Chaka authorities to slightly reduce the fare from 100 Taka for the benefit of passengers," Mohammad Yusuf told The Daily Messenger.
When asked about the reasons for suspending the AC bus service, Chattala Chaka Express managing director Md. Shahjahan told The Daily Messenger that they have been operating the Oxygen-Fatikchhari AC bus service for over two years. However, on August 6, some unscrupulous individuals forced them to suspend the service.
"It was resumed on September 10 after a month-long halt. Yet, some bus owners pressured us to increase the fare from 100 Taka to 160 Taka, which would lead to passenger dissatisfaction," he said.
He added, "Certain members of the Nazirhat-Khagrachari Bus Minibus Owners' Association are imposing unreasonable demands on us. As a result, we have reluctantly taken steps to suspend the service."
On November 17, some members of the Nazirhat-Khagrachari Bus Minibus Owners' Association sent a letter to the association's president demanding the suspension of the Chattala Chaka AC service. They argued that the service was affecting the earnings of regular bus owners. The letter included signatures from individuals such as Md. Amanullah, Riduan, Elias, Yusuf, Badsha, Belal, Nasir, and Abul Bashar.
When asked if the AC service was harming regular bus owners, one of the complainants, Md. Amanullah, told The Daily Messenger that, "The AC buses do not cover the entire route. They must run from Muradpur to Ramgarh. Additionally, fares must be increased."
In response to why a 100-Taka fare was problematic, he cited the association's regulations, saying, "Vehicles must operate under the association's rules if registered with it. We are following those rules."
Nazirhat-Khagrachari Bus Minibus Owners' Association General Secretary Faruk Khan clarified, "Some individuals disrupted the AC service on August 6. Although it resumed a month later, some bus owners claim they are incurring losses, which led to the suspension by the service operator. However, no suspension notice has been issued by the association."
Regarding the complaints from other bus owners, he said, "They claim the AC service is reducing the number of passengers for their buses. While the general public wants this service, regular bus owners oppose it."
He emphasized that fares for AC buses must not exceed 100 Taka, adhering to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) regulations. He also criticized the non-AC buses, stating that their fare of 80 Taka is not particularly low.
Messenger/Shakhawat/SK/EHM
