After two days of travel disruption, commuters in Pabna felt immense relief when the indefinite transport strike ended officially.The strike, enforced by the Pabna District Motor Owners’ Group and the Motor Workers’ Union, began on Thursday, June 26, 2025, and caused considerable suffering for hundreds of passengers traveling on the crucial Pabna-Dhaka route. The decision to end the strike followed successful intervention by the district administration, bringing a positive resolution to a challenging situation. The transport organizations had initiated the strike to protest against alleged extortion and repeated assaults on Pabna-based transport workers by their counterparts in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj. A recent incident on June 25, where a Pabna worker was reportedly beaten by individuals from the Nobin Boron Paribahan group in Shahjadpur, was the immediate trigger for the protest. Leaders of the Pabna Motor Owners’ Group and Motor Workers’ Union had firmly stated that the strike would continue until a permanent solution was found and the safety of Pabna transport workers was fully ensured. During the two days of the strike, the Pabna Central Bus Terminal saw large crowds of stranded passengers. Many individuals who needed to travel to Dhaka for urgent medical treatment, work, or other essential matters were severely inconvenienced. People faced significant challenges, with many having to turn back home, unable to reach their destinations, highlighting the critical importance of uninterrupted public transport services for daily life and economic activity in the region. The resolution came after a joint meeting involving the striking organizations and the district administration. During this meeting, authorities provided assurances that the issues raised by the transport workers and owners would be addressed promptly and effectively. This commitment from the administration played a pivotal role in the decision to withdraw the strike, allowing bus services to resume and restoring normal travel for the public. From Saturday morning, long-distance buses began operating as before, much to the relief of the affected commuters. This positive outcome underscores the importance of dialogue and administrative intervention in resolving disputes that impact public services. The swift resolution means that transport workers can return to their livelihoods with renewed confidence in their safety, and commuters can once again travel freely. This collaborative approach between transport associations and local authorities sets a constructive precedent for addressing future challenges, ensuring smoother and safer journeys for everyone on these vital routes.
