United News of Bangladesh

Bus services from Nathullabad Bus Terminal in Barishal remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Monday (November 17), leaving thousands of commuters grappling with the crisis. The bus operations on 23 intra-district routes have been halted since Saturday night (November 15) after students of BM College allegedly vandalised over 150 buses following a clash with the transport works over half fare. According to bus owners, not a single vehicle was left in operable condition, making it impossible to resume operations. “Almost all our buses were damaged. We have asked the college authorities for compensation. Only after receiving it, we can repair the vehicles and return them to the road,” said Mosharraf Hossain, president of Barishal District Bus Owners’ Group. The deadlock began on Saturday night when a dispute broke out over a bus refusing to offer a student half fare. Several hundred BM College students allegedly stormed the terminal and smashed buses, the terminal building and ticket counters. Bus services cut off in Barishal after clash, 150 vehicles vandalised Since the suspension began on Sunday morning, passengers have suffered severe disruption. During a visit to the terminal on Monday, many were seen returning home in frustration, while others attempted to reach their destinations using three-wheelers or motorbikes. However, long-distance routes, including Barishal–Dhaka services, continue to operate normally.

Bus services between Barishal and the rest of the country have remained suspended since Sunday morning (November 16) following a violent clash between transport workers and students over bus fare at Nathullabad Central Bus Terminal on Saturday (November 15). Students allegedly vandalised more than a hundred buses during the incident. Although no formal strike or work stoppage has been announced, transport owners and workers in Barishal have halted operations on all routes. Operators in Dhaka and other districts have also suspended services on Barishal-bound and other southern routes, effectively severing bus connections across the region. Witnesses said an argument erupted between transport workers and a BM College student over paying a half fare on a bus travelling from Muladi to Barishal on Saturday evening. Read more: Dhaka-bound bus services from Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore halt Several hundred students rushed to the terminal after being informed and clashed with transport workers, they said. The students allegedly vandalised over 100 buses, damaged the terminal building and looted money from ticket counters. One bus was set on fire, but Fire Service personnel managed to douse the flames before they spread. Transport workers claimed that 20–25 workers were injured in the attack and that ticket counters were completely destroyed. Students, however, denied the allegations, accusing transport workers of damaging buses and setting fire to one of them to shift blame onto students. A visit to the terminal on Sunday morning showed rows of shattered buses, with not a single one left intact. Leaders of the Bus Owners’ Group said the association operates 190 buses, of which about 40 were outside the terminal during the attack. The remaining 150 were vandalised. “Not a single piece of glass is untouched,” said one owner, adding that none of the damaged buses can return to service without major repairs. The suspension of bus services has caused severe suffering for passengers. Sylhet-Sunamagnj bus services suspended Ahsan Mohammad, a government employee who came to the terminal to travel to Kushtia after learning of his mother’s illness, said that for such a long journey no alternative mode of transport was viable. Mosharraf Hossain, president of the Barishal District Bus Owners’ Group, said, “We didn’t call any strike. There isn’t a single bus left intact; what will we operate?” He said the owners of long-distance buses may also have stopped operations due to safety concerns. The estimated losses amount to Tk several crore.

Miscreants set fire to two passenger buses in the capital’s Shahjadpur and Merul Badda areas early Monday (10th November 2025). According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters' control room, the first incident occurred around 5:40 am at the Bashhtala bus stand in Shahjadpur, where a Tongi-bound Victor Paribahan bus was torched. Two firefighting units rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control. No casualties were reported. Shortly after, around 6:15 am, another Tongi-bound passenger bus of Akash Paribahan was set ablaze in front of BRAC University at Merul Badda. Two more fire service units responded and extinguished the flames. 3 vehicles damaged in Mohammadpur garage fire Duty officer Rashed Bin Khalid of the Fire Service and Civil Defence control room confirmed both incidents, saying that the causes of the arson attacks are yet to be determined.  No casualties were reported, he added. Law enforcement agencies are investigating the incidents. Read more: Recent fire incidents highlight safety challenges in Bangladesh: Experts

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has  suspended the registration of the rashly-driven bus that lost its roof  amid the driver’s desperate bid to escape after an accident. An office order signed by Sanaul Haque, Deputy Director of BRTA's Dhaka Metro Circle-2, was issued in this regard. According to the order, the registration of vehicle bearing registration number Dhaka Metro-B-14-9350 has been suspended under the Road Transport Rules 2022. BRTA, DMP launch drive to prevent movement of unfit buses during Eid The owner of the vehicle — the authorities of Prime Bank, Karwan Bazar Branch — have been asked to appear in-person at a hearing with the registration certificate, tax token, fitness certificate, route permit, and the driver’s licence. The office order said, on April 17, a bus named “Barishal Express” hit a private car on Kamarkhola rail flyover in Munshiganj’s Srinagar upazila. It then collided with a covered van severely damaging its front portion and causing panic to the driver. Seeing police and army vehicles behind, the driver reportedly drove more and the bus hit the expressway railing, causing the roof to detach and fall onto the road and leaving eight passengers injured.  

Do you use buses or public transport for commuting to nearby or long-distance destinations after evening? To ensure safety while traveling at night on buses or public transport, certain precautions should be followed. Do’s and Don’ts for Evening or Night-Time Travel on Public Transport . Plan Your Journey Ahead Planning your journey makes travel safer. If there is an option to book a bus or train ticket in advance, choose a seat in the middle. When traveling at night, it is best to avoid the window-side or rear seats of the bus. If possible, inform a trusted person about your travel details (destination, expected arrival time). Read more: How to Stay Safe from Devil's Breath Choose Reliable Transport Select a reliable bus or public transport for your journey. Use government-operated or recognized transport services. Check the bus or vehicle’s route and schedule in advance. If using an app-based ride-sharing service (such as Uber, or Pathao), verify the vehicle details before boarding. Keep Your Location Private Nowadays, many people share their daily activities and personal information on social media, which can increase risks for traveling at night. Avoid sharing personal details with strangers. If possible, share your live location with family or friends while traveling. Read more: Safety Tips for Solo Female Travellers Stay Alert and Observe Your Surroundings Avoid conversation with unfamiliar or suspicious individuals and do not share personal information. Even if you are busy, do not focus entirely on your mobile phone; be aware of your surroundings. If you notice anything suspicious or feel uncomfortable, inform the bus driver or fellow passengers. Avoid Crowded Vehicles If a vehicle is overly crowded or the situation seems suspicious, it is better not to board. Keep important belongings such as your wallet, phone, or bag close to you. Carry Essential Self-Defense Items For self-defense, carry small safety tools (such as pepper spray, a whistle, a folding metal safety rod, etc). Keep your phone charged with mobile data so you can seek help if needed. Read more: How to Ensure Women's Safety in Educational Institutions Save Emergency Contacts Keep the contact numbers of local police, bus service helplines, and trusted persons easily accessible. In case of emergency, call 999 (Bangladesh’s emergency service). Do Not Accept Food from Strangers During travel, some passengers may offer food or drinks out of politeness or friendliness. However, criminals disguised as passengers sometimes mix chemicals in food to make travelers unconscious and then rob them. To avoid such risks, never consume food offered by strangers. Maintain Balance While Traveling When the bus or vehicle is moving, avoid standing up or moving suddenly. Hold onto a handle or support to prevent falling if the driver brakes suddenly. If possible, inform the bus assistant about your destination in advance so they can notify you when you reach your stop. Read more: Best Free Personal Safety Android, iOS Apps for Women Keep Your Mobile Phone Secure Many passengers scroll through social media on their mobile phones while traveling. This habit increases the risk of theft, especially if seated by the window. Unless necessary, avoid taking out your mobile phone and keep it secure in your pocket or bag until you reach your destination. Conclusion Many people travel by public transport in the evening or late at night due to personal, emergency, or professional reasons. By following the above safety precautions, nighttime travel can be made much safer. Read more: Essential Snake Safety Tips for Hiking, Trekking, Camping, and Traveling

Five days into a robbery on a Dhaka-Rajshahi night coach in Natore, another robbery was committed on a BRTC bus and a microbus in Patnitala upazila of Naogaon on Saturday night, blocking the road. Though more than 12 hours have already elapsed, police have not arrested anyone in this connection yet. Supervisor of the bus, Ratan Kumar Saha, said their vehicle left Rajshahi station for Niamatpur upazila of the district around 8:45pm. The bus slowed speed and stopped after noticing some logs lying on Nazipur-Sapahar regional road in between Manashi and Karamjhai areas around 11:45pm, he said. The microbus also stationed behind the bus seeing the blockaded road, he said. Robbery, ‘sexual assault on bus’; case filed after 3 days The musk-wearing robbers first broke windows of the bus and entered and snatched away money in cash, seven to eight mobile phones, and ornaments from the passengers, the supervisor said. The valuables worth around Tk 3 lakh were taken away from the bus passengers, Ratan said, adding that the robbers also attacked the microbus and snatched valuables from the driver. Patnitala police station’s officer-in-charge Enayetur Rahman said action would be taken if complaints are lodged in this regard. On Monday night, a robbery took place on a Dhaka-Rajshahi bus of Unique Road Royals’ "Amri Travels." The robbers hijacked the moving bus and kept it under their control for nearly three hours. In addition to the robbery, passengers alleged that female passengers were harassed during the incident. Officer-in-charge (OC) of Baraigram Police Station in Natore Sirajul Islam was closed and attached to the police lines for his alleged negligence in handling the robbery and harassment of two female passengers.

Four members of a family were killed and 15 others injured as a gas cylinder in an ambulance exploded after being hit by two buses in Savar on Dhaka-Aricha highway early Thursday. The deceased were identified as Faruk Hossain Siddique, 45, headmaster of Bhabon Datta Government Primary School in Ghatail upazila of Tangail district, his wife Mahsina Akter Sania, 38, his son Fuad Siddique, 14 and his sister-in-law Mahfuza Akter Shima, 35. Savar Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sougatul Alam said the ambulance caught fire around 2am as a bus of ‘Jhumur Paribahan’ crashed into it in front of Rajfulbaria Police Town and the fire engulfed the bus. Another bus of ‘Shyamoli Paribahn’ also hit the ambulance and the blaze engulfed two buses. Four people who were in the ambulance died on the spot, he said. A number of passengers of Shyamoli Paribahan jumped out of the bus through windows and suffered injuries. Eighty-two goats which were kept in the ‘Jhumur Paribahan’ bus were also burnt down, said deputy officer of Savar Fire Service and Civil Defence Manir Hossain. The injured were rescued and admitted to a hospital for treatment. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire after one hour. The bodies were sent to the Shaheed Suhrawardy Police Station in Dhaka for autopsy. Vehicular movement on Dhaka-Aricha highway remained suspended for two hours following the accident. A case was filed in this connection. Additional Deputy Inspector General of Highway Police Dr AKM Akhtaruzzaman Basunia said, "It seems that these goats belong to a businessman. He said it is illegal to bring animals in passenger buses. Necessary action will be taken after investigation.”

At least three people were killed and 20 others injured in a gas cylinder blast in a bus in Sadar upazila of Lakshmipur district early Monday. The deceased were identified as Suman Hossain, son of Batu Mia; Md Yusuf Mia and his brother Hridoy Hossain, sons of Sujamia. They hailed from Sadar Upazila's  Charmonsha and Banchanagar areas respectively. Among the injured were Suman Hossain, Rocky Islam, Muhammad Fahad Hossain, Siraj Mia, Hriday Islam, Shah Khan, and Abdul Malek. Ten of the injured were shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment. Read: Gazipur cylinder blast: Death toll rises to 17 Witnesses said that the explosion occurred at around 2 am at Green Life Filling Station in Muktiganj area when a Ramgati-bound bus of Meghna Paribahan was refueling. The blast left three people dead on the spot and injured 20 others. Al Amin, the manager of the filling station, said the victims were mostly CNG-run autorickshaw drivers and the injured included both bus and CNG drivers. Ranajit Kumar, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) department in Sadar upazila, said two firefighting units were sent  to the scene after receiving information. They recovered three bodies and rescued the injured. The bodies were sent to Sadar Hospital. Read more: 3 suffer burn injuries as gas cylinder blasts in Malibagh According to Kumar, the accident occurred due to the use of a substandard gas cylinder. Dr Joynal Abedin, resident medical officer of Sadar Hospital, said that the bodies were sent to morgue for autopsy while 10 injured to Dhaka for better treatment.

Dhaka’s ambitious Metro Rail service, connecting Uttara to Motijheel, has significantly impacted the traditional public transport ecosystem, especially affecting bus services on the Mirpur-Agargaon-Farmgate-Paltan route. The introduction of this modern transit option has led to a sharp decline in bus ridership, with operators reporting a 30-40% reduction in the number of buses on this route. Transport proprietors are bracing for a further decline in bus numbers as the warmer months approach, predicting that the allure of the metro’s air-conditioned comfort will draw even more commuters away from buses. The diminished appeal of buses, once a staple for Dhaka’s commuters, is particularly noticeable during peak metro operational hours, despite an observable decrease in traffic congestion. Read more: Quader provides update on Metro Rail extension till Tongi The potential extension of metro rail service hours beyond the current 7:10 am to 8:40 pm timeframe threatens to exacerbate the financial strain on bus operations, prompting owners to consider rerouting their fleets or selling them off. “From a daily tally of 500-600 buses, we’ve plummeted to just 300-400 buses on the Mirpur-Agargaon-Farmgate-Paltan route,” stated Md Shahjahan, Managing Director of Shikhor Paribahan, highlighting the scale of the downturn.

A passenger bus caught fire in the capital's Shahbagh area on Saturday night. The fire broke out at around 11:25 pm, said Mustazirur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Shahbagh Police Station. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire. The fire might have originated from a technical fault, added the OC. Police are investigating the matter, he said. However, no causalities were reported in the fire.