Sleeper bus owners protest proposed ban, raise six demands

Leaders and activists of the Sleeper AC Bus Owners Association staged a protest in front of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) headquarters in Banani today (23 August), demanding that authorities refrain from banning sleeper buses and instead establish clear operating guidelines and a regulatory framework.

They later submitted a memorandum outlining their six-point demands to the BRTA.

The protesters gathered around 1:15pm, bringing traffic on one side of the Banani–Mohakhali road to a halt and causing heavy congestion. They, however, left the area around 2:15pm after submitting the memorandum, police said.

Mohammad Russell Rana, assistant commissioner of the traffic division’s Mohakhali zone, confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.

“The owners’ association members gathered in front of the BRTA so that no ban would be imposed on sleeper buses. Although they did not directly block the road, the large gathering caused traffic on one side of the Banani–Mohakhali road to stop,” he said.

“They left after around an hour after submitting the memorandum. Traffic movement is now normal,” he added.

The association demanded that authorities refrain from taking coercive action or imposing a ban on sleeper buses until court proceedings are finally disposed of.

It also called for measures to facilitate investment in the sector and create employment opportunities for workers.

The owners demanded a specific policy for operating sleeper buses in line with international standards and sought a swift resolution to complications related to vehicle fitness and route permits.

They also called for an end to unreasonable fines, searches and vehicle seizures while legal proceedings continue.

The association further demanded that sleeper buses be brought under an effective regulatory framework in coordination with the BRTA to ensure road safety.