Inter‑district and long‑distance bus services via Natore from Rajshahi have been suspended due to internal disputes between transport owners and workers.
The deadlock began Friday morning and continued into Saturday, leaving passengers stranded at Rajshahi Bus Terminal.
According to sources, on Thursday, a bus of Rabbi Paribahan bound for Darshana was stopped in Natore by local owners and workers. Passengers were transferred to a Tuhin Paribahan bus to continue their journey. The incident triggered tensions between transport owners and workers of the two districts.
Abdul Majid, general secretary of the Natore District Transport Workers’ Union, told reporters that a Rabbi Paribahan bus entered Natore without permission, prompting local owners and workers to send it back to Rajshahi. Later, six to seven Natore buses were seized in Rajshahi, escalating the dispute.
In response, Rajshahi Motor Workers’ Union and the Road Transport Group seized three Tuhin Paribahan buses in Rajshahi. When the Rabbi Paribahan bus held in Natore was released, the three buses in Rajshahi were also freed.
Despite this, Rajshahi District Motor Workers’ Union and the Road Transport Group announced suspension of all inter‑district bus services from Rajshahi, affecting routes through Natore as well as long‑distance services.
Regular buses from Rajshahi to districts in Rangpur division, Dhaka, and other destinations travel via Natore. The sudden suspension has caused severe hardship for passengers. Many waited at counters hoping buses would depart, but transport officials could not confirm when services will resume.
Shafiqul, a passenger bound for Rangpur, said, “I came to the counter to go to Rangpur. They said there was a problem on the road and buses would leave soon. But even after an hour, no bus has departed.”
Many passengers were seen waiting at the terminal, while others tried to reach destinations by alternative transport, incurring extra time, cost, and inconvenience.
Nazrul Islam Helal, general secretary of the Rajshahi Road Transport Group, said, “We are trying to speak with the minister. The issue has not yet been resolved, but efforts are ongoing.”
Discussions between Rajshahi Road Transport Group and Natore transport owners are expected to take place to resolve the issue. Officials expressed hope that services will resume soon, but as of 10:30am Saturday, bus operations had not returned to normal.
