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Bus services from Barishal to destinations across the country were suspended following a dispute over picking up passengers on three-wheelers in front of bus counters along highways.
The dispute between three-wheeler owners and drivers and local bus workers escalated around 10am on Monday (August 24) in the Shimultala area of Banaripara upazila in Barishal.
Later, three-wheeler owners and workers reportedly used their local influence to stop around 20 passenger buses. Leaders of the Barishal Bus Owners’ Group tried to resolve the issue but failed.
After noon, bus owners and workers suspended services from the Nathullabad Central Bus Terminal, halting both long-distance and local routes.
The sudden suspension caused severe suffering for passengers waiting at the terminal. They urged the authorities concerned to intervene and restore normal services.
Bus owners and workers alleged that the operation of three-wheelers on highways was causing traffic congestion and increasing the risk of accidents.
They said they had long been demanding a ban on three-wheelers on highways but no effective action had been taken.
They warned that bus services would remain suspended until illegally operating three-wheelers were removed from the highways.
Barishal Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mamun Khandaker said efforts were underway to resolve the issue quickly and ease passengers’ suffering.
