No bus to run in capital on contractual basis, say owners

Dhaka, Aug 8 – As part of its efforts to curb road accidents, Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association has decided not to run any bus on a contractual basis, which leads to rash driving, in the capital from Thursday.“If anyone runs buses on contractual agreement from tomorrow (Thursday), we’ll recommend cancellation of the registration of his buses. We’ll also revoke his membership from our association,” said association’s General Secretary Khandaker Enayetullah.
Enayetullah, also General Secretary of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association, came up with the announcement while addressing a press conference at the BRTC Bhaban in the city.
He said drivers engage in competitions with each other to earn more following the plying of buses as per agreements with bus owners, posing a high risk of accidents. “Drivers and workers will run buses on wage basis from tomorrow (Thursday).
The transport association leader also said counter bus services will be reintroduced in the capital.
He also said they support the draft Road Transport Bill in general although they oppose some sections.
Enayetullah said a committee will be constituted at each bus terminal comprising of representatives of owners and workers to check licences of drivers, and papers and fitness of vehicles. “No unfit bus will be allowed run in the capital.”
Meanwhile, the Driver of Jabal-e-Noor Paribahan has confessed that buses’ competition caused July 29 deaths
Two buses’ competition to get more passengers on board has resulted in the fatal accident that caused the tragic end of two young lives on Airport Road on July 29.
In a confessional statement before a court in connection with the deaths of two college students, Masum Billa, driver of ‘Jabal-e-Noor Paribahan’ said this.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Golam Nabi recorded the statement of Masum Billa in the afternoon.
Masum Billa confessed under section 164 that the accident took place following the competition between two buses for getting more passengers.
Earlier on August 1, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate HM Toaha placed Masum Billa on a seven-day remand for interrogation.
Police arrested Masum Billa from Barguna district sadar on July 31.
Diya Khanam Mim and Abdul Karim Rajib, students of the college section of Shaheed Ramiz Uddin School and College, were killed as a bus ploughed through some students in front of Kurmitola General Hospital on Airport Road on July 29.
A case was filed over the accident with Cantonment Police Station on Sunday night. – UNB