With Eid al-Fitr approaching, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has stepped up operations to combat overcharging and passenger harassment on roads across Dhaka and other regions of Bangladesh. Mobile courts have been deployed in strategic locations, issuing fines to errant transport operators and ensuring that any excess fares collected are promptly returned to passengers.
In a press release on Thursday, 19 March 2026, the Ministry’s Information and Public Relations Officer, Nobel Dey, confirmed that multiple transport companies had been penalised during the inspections. “These operations form part of a broader effort to guarantee a safe, fair, and orderly travel experience during the busy holiday period,” the release stated.
In Dhaka, two transport services, Ilish Transport and Jamuna Hi Deluxe, were fined 5,000 taka across two cases in Phulbari, Gulistan, and Jatrabari for charging passengers above the official fare.
High passenger density areas such as Dholai Para saw four transport services fined 13,000 taka, while in Sayedabad, three operators were fined 11,000 taka, with all excess fares refunded to passengers. In Uttara Abdullahpur, two ticket counters were penalised 10,000 taka for failing to display fare lists and overcharging commuters.
Despite the intensive enforcement, traffic in the capital reportedly remained smooth, with passenger volumes beginning to ease. Additional operations in Kallyanpur, Gabtoli, Hemayetpur, and Savar led to fines of 7,000 taka across four cases, following 9,000 taka in penalties imposed in the same areas the previous day.
Beyond Dhaka, mobile courts in Chattogram’s Oxygen Mor and Tangail’s Elenga imposed fines of 7,000 taka and 5,000 taka, respectively. In Barishal, one transport operator was fined 3,000 taka, while in Khulna’s Rupsa Toll Plaza, three cases resulted in 6,000 taka in penalties, though no complaints of excess fare collection were reported and traffic remained normal.
Authorities have emphasised that these measures will continue across the country in the lead-up to Eid, targeting fare irregularities and ensuring fair and equitable travel for all passengers. Overall, traffic conditions remain largely normal nationwide, with enforcement helping to maintain discipline and passenger confidence.
Excess Fare Enforcement: Key Details
| Location | Violations | Transport Operators / Counters | Fine Imposed (Taka) | Passenger Refunds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phulbari, Gulistan, Jatrabari, Dhaka | Excess fare | Ilish Transport, Jamuna Hi Deluxe | 5,000 | Yes |
| Dholai Para, Dhaka | Excess fare | 4 transport services | 13,000 | Yes |
| Sayedabad, Dhaka | Excess fare | 3 transport services | 11,000 | Yes |
| Uttara Abdullahpur, Dhaka | Fare list missing & overcharge | 2 counters | 10,000 | Yes |
| Kallyanpur, Gabtoli, Hemayetpur, Savar | Multiple violations | 4 transport services | 7,000 | Yes |
| Chattogram (Oxygen Mor) | Excess fare | Local transport | 7,000 | Yes |
| Tangail (Elenga) | Excess fare | Local transport | 5,000 | Yes |
| Barishal | Excess fare | Local transport | 3,000 | Yes |
| Khulna (Rupsa Toll Plaza) | Operational inspection, no excess fare | 3 transport services | 6,000 | Not applicable |
These coordinated enforcement efforts underscore the government’s commitment to protecting passengers, maintaining fair pricing, and ensuring smooth mobility during the festive rush, while discouraging unlawful practices in public transport.
