Chapainawabganj Correspondent 

Due to a strike by transport workers in Rajshahi demanding a salary increase, bus services on the Chapainawabganj–Dhaka route have been suspended. Since Monday morning (22 Sept), all buses on this route except for Ekota Transport have been halted, causing difficulties for passengers.

Sources from the transport workers stated that buses from Chapainawabganj to Dhaka pass through Rajshahi. As a result, the strike by transport workers in Rajshahi has affected bus services in Chapainawabganj.

Transport workers explained that for a passenger bus traveling from Rajshahi to Dhaka and back, the driver receives 1,300 Taka, the supervisor 570 Taka, and the driver’s assistant 520 Taka from the bus owners. They have long demanded a salary increase from the owners but have not received any resolution. Therefore, demanding a 2,000 Taka increase for drivers and 500 Taka for supervisors and assistants, Rajshahi transport workers suspended buses bound for Dhaka indefinitely starting this morning.

Abdur Rashid, a private sector employee who came to the bus counter to travel to Dhaka, said, “I work in a corporate office in Dhaka. I had visited home a few days ago, and now I need to return after my leave. But when I arrived at the Dhaka stand, I found all bus services suspended. Now I have to travel by transfer vehicles, which will cost extra.”

Naeem, ticket master of Ekota Transport, said, “Although all other buses are suspended, 13 Ekota buses have left for Dhaka by noon. Several more buses are ready to carry passengers to Dhaka.”

Shariful Islam, General Secretary of the Chapainawabganj–Dhaka Coach Association, stated, “Due to the salary hike demand, Rajshahi transport workers suspended Dhaka-bound bus services this morning. As a result, except for Ekota Transport, all buses from Chapainawabganj to Dhaka are suspended. Normally, around 150 buses operate from Chapainawabganj to Dhaka daily from morning to night.”