Transport owners and workers continued their strike across the country for the third consecutive day on Sunday while people suffered immensely demanding an immediate government initiative to resolve the issue.
Thousands of travellers and tourists got stranded at places due to the strike enforced since Friday morning over the recent fuel price hike.
Public transports along with vehicles carrying goods stayed off the roads as its owners and workers were adamant about continuing the strike.
They said public transports would not be resumed unless the government raised fares or rescinded the fuel price hike.
As there were no buses on roads, office-goers and students had to travel by rickshaws, CNG-run autorickshaws, and ridesharing motorcycles, paying much more than the usual fare. Many also walked to their destinations.
Besides, people were seen jostling to get on BRTC buses in the capital.
Transport leaders said they would decide to call off the strike after discussing with the authorities concerned on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday hinted at a transport fare hike saying the fare would remain tolerable even if the government decided to increase it due to the strike.
In another development, launch owners joined the ongoing transport strike against the fuel price hike and stopped operating their vessels from Saturday evening, adding misery to the travellers.
The strike caused extreme trouble for traders along with exporters and importers.
Business-related people said they incurred huge losses due to the strike while the fuel price hike already had them worried as it would also raise the production cost.
On November 3, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene to Tk 80 from Tk 65 at the retail level.
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of the price hike of petroleum in the international market.
