Indefinite bus strikes in Khulna, Barishal from Sunday

Bus owners and workers unions in five districts across Khulna and Barishal divisions called an indefinite transport strike to realize their three-point charter of demands, including a ban on illegal three-wheelers on highways.

Transport leaders announced they are forcing the shutdown starting from June 14, 2026, Sunday, after multiple rounds of negotiation with local administrative officials “failed” to yield any concrete solutions,  reports bdnews24.com on Friday. 

ShahiduI Islam, general secretary of Bagerhat Inter-District Bus, Minibus, Coach and Microbus Owners’ Association, said once the strike commences, all forms of vehicular movements will come to a halt in Bagerhat, Khulna, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, and Barishal.


The three-point demands are:
- Removal of extra Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) buses and leased vehicles operating beyond approved limits, along with all unauthorised ticketing counters outside designated district terminals. 
-A complete ban on illegal three-wheelers, including Mahindra, Nosimon, Korimon and autorickshaws, on regional highways. 
-An end to long-route buses picking up passengers at intermediate stops outside policy guidelines.

Shahidul said 18 BRTC buses are authorised to run through the two divisions but more are operating in practice, while illegal three-wheelers continue to ply on the highways unchecked. 

An emergency meeting of owners and workers on May 20 resolved to go on strike, and local district administrations were formally notified by letter.

“We had hoped the administration would resolve the issues before the June 11. Since they haven’t, we are going ahead with an indefinite strike from the June 14 at 6:00am,” the leader added.

Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten said the administration is “fully aware” of the demands and has already held a meeting with the associations. 
“We are working to prevent the strike from going ahead on June 14. We hope it will be resolved beforehands,” he added.