Govt launches BRTC bus services amid nationwide rail disruption
NN online:
The government has launched Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) bus services on essential railway routes to ensure passenger transportation. This announcement was made in a press release from the Ministry of Railways on Tuesday, highlighting efforts to maintain travel options for commuters during the disruptions.
Train operations have been halted nationwide since early Tuesday after Bangladesh Railway’s operating crew began an indefinite strike, demanding special post-retirement benefits.
As an alternative to trains, BRTC bus services have been introduced on important railway routes for passenger transportation.
Passengers travelling to Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna, Cumilla, Bogura, and Mymensingh from Dhaka Railway Station and Airport Railway Station can travel using the BRTC bus service with their purchased train tickets. They can also travel to Dhaka from these locations using this service, the release said.
The BRTC bus service will remain in operation until further notice. This measure aims to minimise inconvenience to passengers and ensure continued connectivity during the disruption, the release added.
Kamalapur Railway Station Master Mohammad Anwar Hossain told UNB that all trains scheduled to depart until 12am on Monday eventually left their origin station, despite delays.
However, trains scheduled to depart after midnight did not operate due to the work stoppage. The last scheduled train on Monday departed from Kamalapur Station at 1am.
Passengers with tickets for the cancelled trains, both online and offline were being refunded.