Eid Travel: Sayedabad Sees Low Crowds, Fare Complaints

On the first day of the official government holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr, many residents of Dhaka began their journey home. However, at Sayedabad Bus Terminal, one of the city’s busiest departure hubs, passenger numbers were noticeably low. Compounding the issue, travellers reported that several bus routes were charging fares above the official rates.

A survey conducted between early morning and 1 pm on Tuesday across Sayedabad and Jatrabari revealed relatively sparse crowds at most bus counters. Despite waiting passengers, buses departing to major routes such as Chittagong, Comilla, Habiganj, Laksam, and Raipura had fewer travellers than expected.

By midday, some activity was observed at Golden Line’s counter on the Barisal–Faridpur route, where a modest queue had formed. Mahbubur Rahman, a passenger heading to Faridpur, alleged that he was charged an additional BDT 300 for luggage, above the standard fare.

Similarly, passengers on Dhaka–Khulna routes with Arman Enterprise reported inconsistent fares. Although the regular fare is BDT 500, one traveller paid BDT 600 while another was charged BDT 750. When questioned, the bus master explained that the official fare is BDT 500, but online bookings or counter adjustments could lead to higher charges.

On the same route, Medina Classic reportedly asked a passenger BDT 700, which the bus master later admitted was a mistake. Conversely, some operators were reportedly selling tickets below government-regulated fares, citing lower passenger numbers. For example, Mobarak Transport on the Dhaka–Sylhet route stated that although the official fare is BDT 700, tickets were sold for BDT 600–650 to accommodate reduced demand.

Transport staff expressed disappointment over the low passenger turnout. A Chittagong-bound bus worker noted that the typical Eid rush had not yet materialised, suggesting that additional leave from clothing factories later in the day might increase passenger numbers.

Traffic congestion was observed across Sayedabad, Jatrabari, and surrounding areas, reflecting the high volume of vehicles despite fewer passengers. Authorities and bus operators are reportedly adjusting schedules and deploying additional vehicles to manage the anticipated evening rush.

The table below summarises fare patterns and passenger observations across key routes:

As the Eid holiday progresses, officials and transport operators are closely monitoring fare compliance and passenger flow to ensure smoother travel experiences in the coming days.