Transport Strike Threatened From November 1 if ‘Unfit’ Buses Are Barred From Roads

❐ Local correspondent

The Rangpur Divisional Bus and Minibus Motor Owners Association has demanded that the decision not to issue fitness certificates to buses and minibuses that are more than 20 years old be overturned and that physically fit vehicles be allowed to ply on the roads.

The organization has warned of calling for a general strike across Rangpur division from November 1 if a specific solution is not found by October 29th.

The announcement was made at a press conference at the office of the District Motor Owners Association in Rangpur city on Saturday afternoon. Md. Rezaul Karim Basunia, Joint General Secretary of the Rangpur Divisional Bus-Minibus Motor Owners Association, read out a written statement there.

The press conference was told that the BRTA policy sets the economic life of buses and minibuses at 20 years and trucks and covered vans at 25 years. If this rule is implemented, more than 56,000 large buses and more than 28,000 minibuses registered across the country that are more than 20 years old will become unfit for operation.

On the other hand, the number of newly registered buses across the country in 2024 was only 1,736. Of these, 220 were minibuses. According to transport leaders, replacing old vehicles at this rate will create a major shortage in public transport.

They claim that the current physical condition of the vehicle should be given more importance than its age when issuing a fitness certificate. They also point out that according to Section 40 of the Road Transport Act, 2018, there is an opportunity to replace other parts of the vehicle except the chassis by paying a prescribed fee.

Concerns were also expressed at the press conference that scrapping a large number of cars at once would have a negative impact on the environment.

At the same time, importing thousands of new buses will cost a lot of foreign currency, which will put additional pressure on the country’s reserves and fragile economy. According to transport leaders, it is more cost-effective and reasonable to refurbish old vehicles by installing new components and making them suitable for recycling, rather than building or importing new buses.

The geographical and economic conditions of Rangpur division were also highlighted at the press conference. The leaders said that it is not possible for transport owners in this agriculture-dependent region to spend nearly half a crore taka to buy new vehicles.

They allege that bureaucrats are forcing the government to make this unpopular decision by providing false information to benefit vested interests and unethical importers.