Mobile Court Operation Ensures Fair Fares

In a bid to safeguard homebound passengers and prevent commuter inconvenience, a mobile court conducted a rigorous inspection of buses and ticket counters along the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway in Tongi. During the operation, several bus counters were fined, and measures were taken to refund passengers who had been overcharged.

The drive took place on Friday, 20 March, from early morning until 1:30 pm at the Station Road area under Tongi West Police Station. Tongi West Police Chief, Arifur Rahman, confirmed the operation to Kaler Kantho.

Targeting Overcharging and Safety Violations

The mobile court, initiated by the District Administration, aimed to address complaints regarding:

Charging passengers more than the official fare

Carrying more passengers than permitted per bus

Complications in ticket issuance at counters

Mohammad Mojaherul Haque, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Tongi Revenue Circle and Executive Magistrate, presided over the court. Several bus counters were fined a total of BDT 35,000 for violations, and arrangements were made to return excess fares collected from passengers.

During the operation, the magistrate issued strict directives to bus owners and management to:

Display official fare charts prominently at counters and on buses

Prohibit overloading of passengers beyond the designated seat capacity

Ensure safe and efficient service for commuters

Officials warned that any transport company violating these regulations would face stringent legal action.

Impact of the Operation

The enforcement drive not only compensated passengers for overcharging but also raised awareness among transport operators about legal compliance. Commuters welcomed the initiative, noting that such measures are crucial for maintaining order and passenger safety on one of the country’s busiest highways.

Summary of Fines and Refunds:

District authorities have emphasised that similar mobile court operations will continue across key transport corridors to ensure commuters are not exploited and travel safely.