Commuters suffer as bus strike begins in Faridpur ahead of BNP rally

Bus services between the capital city and five southern districts including Barishal have halted due to a strike enforced by transport workers and owners ahead the BNP’s rally on Saturday in Faridpur.

Transport strike has hit the southern districts of Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna and Jhalkati since 6am Friday.

This meant that no passenger bus is now running between Dhaka and the five districts.

The tourist spot Kuakata is also bearing the brunt of the strike amid peak tourist season.

Within a span of one week transportation between Barishal and Dhaka got disrupted centering the BNP rallies. The region was under a two-day strike centring the BNP’s divisional rally on November 5.

Commuters were suffering a lot as they had to go back from Barishl bus terminal due to the strike enforced without any previous announcement.

Golam Mashrek Bablu, president of Barishal Bus Owners Group, confirming the strike said that workers and owners of greater Faridpur bus association called for a 38-hour strike from Friday morning to Saturday night.

“Faridpur’s bus owners and workers will not allow operation of buses coming from the southern districts to cross Bhanga Intersection due to the strike”, he said adding that they were forced to take the decision to stop the bus service.

Md Firoz, bus driver of Hilsha Paribahan, said the bus communication between Barishal and Dhaka will remain suspended on Friday and Saturday.

Mentionable, Faridpur district bus workers and owners went on a 38-hour strike Friday morning amid BNP’s allegation that it was planned to thwart their rally, causing suffering to commuters.