Tickets confirmed today, cancelled tomorrow: Fuel supply uncertainty leaves Eid travelers in limbo
Concerns have arisen that fuel supply could be affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With Eid approaching, that uncertainty tears through Bangladesh’s road transport sector, leaving passengers anxious about whether they will be able to travel home
Mahib Reza had planned a smooth journey to Kuakata for Eid. He bought a ticket for a night coach of Sakura Paribahan scheduled for 18 March. But his plan fell apart when the trip was suddenly cancelled.
"I had to take a ticket for the next morning instead," he said. "Earlier, I had a seat in the 'C' line. This time I had to settle for the 'I' line and pay some extra money."
His experience reflects the uncertainty many passengers are facing as transport operators adjust schedules and ticket sales amid concerns over fuel supply.
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Rizwan Riju went through a similar experience. He bought a bus ticket for Tk900 that usually costs Tk650, only to receive an unexpected phone call from the counter later that afternoon.
"They said the coach had been cancelled," he said. "So I took a refund. Now I'm trying to find a ticket on another bus."
For others, even finding a ticket has become a struggle. Ahsan Habib Linkon, who plans to travel to Khulna for Eid, said the rush at bus counters has intensified.
"When I arrived, there was a very long queue," he said. "After waiting for a long time, I finally managed to get a ticket. The fare used to be Tk650, but now they are charging Tk750. I don't know whether it's because of Eid or the fuel situation, but at least I got a ticket."
Students heading home are feeling the pressure as well. Abdullah Al Habib Shovon said he visited several bus counters but could not find tickets for the dates he needed.
"I checked multiple operators, but no one had tickets for the 16th or after," he said. "Many are saying the tickets have not even been released yet. Now I'm worried I won't get train tickets either."
For some travellers, last-minute cancellations have created even bigger problems.
Atikur Rahman said the sudden changes left him with few alternatives. "If I had known earlier, I would have tried for train tickets. But the bus counter cancelled my ticket at the last moment, and train tickets were sold out within minutes."
With Eid approaching, uncertainty over fuel supply has begun to ripple through Bangladesh's road transport sector, leaving passengers anxious about whether they will be able to travel home.
Bus operators at several terminals across Dhaka have started cancelling previously sold advance tickets or withholding new ones, citing concerns about fuel availability. Passengers fear the situation could eventually lead to higher fares at the last moment.
However, the government has insisted that fuel prices will not increase before Eid and has warned transport operators against charging additional fares. Yet rumours about potential shortages, along with operational limits imposed on fuel supply, have already begun disrupting bus terminals.
While the official price of fuel remains unchanged, concerns have arisen that fuel supply could be affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In response to the uncertainty, the government has reportedly instructed petrol pumps to restrict the amount of fuel vehicles can collect in a day.
Transport operators say each vehicle is now allowed to collect fuel only once daily, making it difficult to operate all scheduled buses. The situation has already led to cancelled trips and reduced advance ticket sales ahead of the Eid rush.
Tickets cancelled, uncertainty grows
Mirpur resident and businessman Iman Mallik had carefully planned his journey home for Eid. He bought a ticket on Unique Paribahan for 17 March, hoping to travel to Patuakhali without last-minute stress. But those plans unraveled with a single phone call.
The bus operator informed him that the scheduled coach would not run that day, citing concerns over fuel shortages and rising fuel prices.
Like many other passengers, Iman now worries that the uncertainty could eventually be used to push fares higher as Eid approaches. With advance tickets being cancelled on the grounds of fuel shortages, hundreds of travellers are left unsure whether they will be able to make it home for the holidays.
The anxiety is visible at the bus terminals. At Gabtoli and Gulistan, long queues have formed at ticket counters as passengers scramble to secure seats for the coming days. Some arrived only to collect refunds after their previously purchased tickets were cancelled. Others complained about rude behaviour from counter staff as frustration grew among waiting travellers.
Under no circumstances will fuel prices be increased before Eid. There is also no opportunity for Eid travel to be disrupted or ticket prices to rise due to fears of a shortage. A fixed fare has already been determined. If anyone charges even one taka more than the set fare, inform us. Exemplary punishment will be given, and their route permit will be cancelled. We will control this during Eid at any cost.
Bus operators, however, reject accusations of fare manipulation. Several companies say the disruptions are driven by fears of possible fuel supply constraints rather than any deliberate attempt to raise ticket prices.
At Dhaka's major bus terminals, transport workers describe a situation shaped by uncertainty over fuel supply and the approaching Eid rush. While some operators continue selling tickets, others have begun cancelling advance bookings or delaying sales.
Helal Mia, a staff member at the Gabtoli counter of Unique Paribahan, said several advance tickets had already been cancelled because operators could not confidently plan schedules.
"We cancelled the advance Eid tickets that were sold earlier," he said. "Petrol pumps have told us each vehicle can collect fuel only once a day. Because of that, we cannot run all our coaches at the same time."
He rejected allegations that operators were charging extra fares.
"We are not taking extra fares. Sometimes we sell tickets at slightly lower prices when passenger numbers are low. During Eid, however, we are selling tickets at the normal seasonal price. If we cannot get fuel from the pumps, it is difficult to say how buses will operate," he added.
Others say operations are continuing for now. Ekramul Haque, a ticket seller at the Gabtoli counter of Satkhira Line, said their service is still selling advance tickets.
"We are continuing to sell advance Eid tickets," he said.
At Shahzadpur Travels' technical counter, staff member Anwar Uddin said ticket sales began only two days ago and were already nearly finished.
"So far, we have not faced serious fuel problems," he said. "As long as fuel is available and prices do not increase, fares will remain the same. But if fuel becomes unavailable, buses cannot run. And if fuel prices rise, fares will inevitably increase."
Some operators also question the government's assurance that the country has sufficient fuel reserves.
Emdadul Hoq, manager of Falguni, said demand would rise sharply as Eid approaches.
"The government says there is a 14-day reserve, but that statement was made several days ago," he said. "Fuel has been used during that time as well. During Eid, many idle buses will start operating and making up-and-down trips. If supply cannot meet that demand, prices will naturally increase."
Others say they are simply following instructions from owners. Mohammad Abdul Hamid, supervisor of Eagle Travels, said their priority remains passenger service.
"If the owners give instructions, we follow them. Anyone who comes for advance tickets is getting them from us. If the government later increases fares because of fuel prices, we will follow that," he said.
Some counters, however, have limited advance ticket sales due to operational constraints. Dulal Ahmed, a staff member at the Mohakhali counter of Orin Travels, said their buses and seats are limited there.
"That is why tickets are often given on a running basis instead of advance sales," he said.
Drivers warn that restricted fuel supply could create serious operational risks. Shah Alam, a driver of Zenin Paribahan, said collecting small amounts of fuel from multiple pumps would disrupt operations.
"If a bus runs out of fuel in the middle of the road, it will create major problems," he said.
Others say the restrictions are already affecting long-distance routes. Ronju Ahmed, a supervisor of Nabir Paribahan, said pumps were refusing to provide sufficient fuel.
"My bus runs to Panchagarh and needs around 230 to 250 litres," he said. "If I get only 10 or 20 litres, do I have to visit ten pumps?"
Because of such uncertainty, some operators have halted advance sales entirely. Rasel Ahmed of Rabeya Paribahan said selling tickets now could create complications later if fuel becomes unavailable.
Meanwhile, AK Travels manager Motahar Hossen said they are reducing operations to conserve fuel.
"If we sell tickets but cannot run the bus, passengers will become angry," he said. "Normally a bus needs about 120 litres, but now we are getting far less. So we are running fewer buses and trying to manage the fuel carefully until Eid."
Government stands firm against fare hikes
The government, however, has taken a firm stance, insisting that there will be no increase in fuel prices before Eid and warning transport operators against raising fares.
Shaikh Rabiul Alam assured TBS that there is no scope for fare hikes.
"Under no circumstances will fuel prices be increased before Eid. There is also no opportunity for Eid travel to be disrupted or ticket prices to rise due to fears of a shortage," he said.
The minister also warned operators against charging additional fares.
"There is no opportunity to charge extra fares. A fixed fare has already been determined. If anyone charges even one taka more than the set fare, inform us. Exemplary punishment will be given, and their route permit will be cancelled. We will control this during Eid at any cost," he said.
Transport owners, however, say the uncertainty surrounding fuel supply has already made planning difficult.
Saiful Alam said bus operators are hesitant to commit to full-scale operations while questions remain about fuel availability.
"Considering the current fuel situation, it is difficult for bus owners to decide right now whether to operate buses at full capacity. However, if fuel supply becomes normal, it will be possible to put sufficient buses on the road," he said.
He also cautioned that the consequences of a fuel shortage could extend beyond the road transport sector.
"The impact will not remain limited to road transport alone. If the situation does not improve, rail, launch and other transport services may also face reductions in operation. The government is working on the issue," he said.
