Patuakhali, Apr 05 (V7N) – A mobile court has fined seven Dhaka-bound transport buses Tk 54,000 for collecting extra fares from passengers at the Patuakhali District Bus Terminal.

The drive was conducted from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm on Friday (April 4) with the assistance of joint forces comprising members of the Bangladesh Army and district police, led by Major Russell Khan of Patuakhali Sadar Army Camp. The operation was supervised by Executive Magistrate Md. Mashiur Rahman from the District Commissioner’s office.

The mobile court penalized the following transport companies and individuals:

  • Md. Shahin (Mizan Transport) – Tk 5,000

  • Bappi Islam (Nishat Transport) – Tk 5,000

  • Md. Sohag (Dolphin Transport) – Tk 5,000

  • Md. Badrul (Sakura Transport) – Tk 10,000

  • Three other transport services were also fined varying amounts, bringing the total to Tk 54,000.

Passengers expressed frustration over being forced to pay exorbitant fares, far exceeding the regular ticket prices.

Jewel Mridha, a passenger on the Kuakata-Dhaka route, said:
"The regular fare is Tk 650, but they demanded Tk 900. When I protested, they said, ‘If you want to go, pay it. Otherwise, don’t.’"

Ruksana Begum, who boarded a Sakura Paribahan bus from Amtali, added:
"They charged me Tk 1,000 for a Tk 700 ticket. I had no choice but to accept it."

Executive Magistrate Md. Mashiur Rahman emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting commuters:
"This campaign will continue to reduce the suffering of passengers and restore order in the transport sector. No one will be allowed to take advantage of public holidays or passenger pressure."

The mobile court’s intervention comes as thousands of people are returning to Dhaka after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, with reports of rampant overcharging on various long-distance routes.

END/MSS/AJ