The association of transport owners and workers is enforcing a 48-hour strike in five districts of Chattogram following the torching of a few buses after the death of two Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) students in a road accident on April 22.
As part of the strike, no public transport is operating on the roads, leaving commuters in immense suffering.
Due to the non-operation of long-distance buses, the demand for private cars and CNG-powered auto-rickshaws has surged, with passengers being charged double the usual fare.
"I set out from home to Cox's Bazar to resume work. However, upon reaching Bahaddarhat bus terminal, I discovered that no buses were operational, forcing me to hire a private car at double the normal fare," said Shahadat Hossain, an employee of a non-government organisation (NGO).
The primary entry point to the port city from southern Chattogram is the new bridge area of Chaktai. Upon visiting there at 11:30am, a significant crowd was observed. As buses remained non-operational, some private cars found themselves surrounded by passengers. Routes that previously charged Tk100 for destinations like Patiya-Chandanaish are now demanding Tk200.
When questioned about the inflated fares, a private car driver named Mohammad Rashid said, "I am taking the risk of operating during a strike. Driving during a strike exposes me to potential assaults. Hence, I am charging higher fares to compensate for this risk."
As buses remained idle, some individuals resorted to travelling to their destinations by hitching rides on truck-pickups, despite the associated risks.
On April 22, two CUET students were killed after a bus hit their bike on Chattogram Kaptai road, sparking a student protest with 10-point demands.
CUET authorities announced the closure of the campus for an indefinite period to quell the protest, which angered the students, prompting them to torch buses.
The Greater Chattogram Public Transport Owners and Workers Unity Council called for the strike on Saturday, protesting the student action.
Meanwhile, police arrested the driver of the bus involved in the accident.
