Many holidaymakers rushing towards Dhaka since 19 June after five days of Eid-ul-Azha vacation faced various difficulties including shortage of vehicles, low number seats in trains, and overcharging of fares.

Many people entered the capital through different entry points, riding whatever transportation they could manage, on that day as their offices reopened.

As 16-18 June were declared holidays for Eid-ul-Azha and 14-15 June were weekly holidays, many people got a five-day vacation and left the city.

Visiting inter-district bus terminals at Mohakhali, Gabtoli and Sayedabad and the Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka on Wednesday and Thursday, this correspondent found that the pressure of passengers was not huge. However, while talking to the Daily Sun, the returning holidaymakers said they struggled to get bus and train tickets.

They said there were very few buses available as the whole country was still in a festive mood. As a result, it was very difficult to get seats on the transports that were available.

At the same time, many passengers complained that they could not get the expected number of train tickets as the black market rackets were very active. Many have been travelling by buying train tickets at excessively high prices from black marketers.

Tanjim Hossain, an employee of a private company, and his wife travelled from Netrokona to Dhaka by the Mohanganj Express train on 19 June.

Tanjim said he tried several times to buy train tickets through the Rail Sheba app, but failed. At last he could buy two tickets from a black marketer, but they cost him more than double the regular price.

He said, “The regular price of two Snigdha class tickets is Tk748, but I was forced to buy them at Tk2,000 from a black marketer. Not only me, many other passengers of the train also travelled with tickets bought from the black marketers. ”

“The ticket black marketing rackets are still active in the railway. Especially, the attendants of train compartments are mostly involved in selling illegal tickets,” he added.

Passengers returning to Dhaka by buses also had to buy tickets at prices way higher than the regular rates. Many passengers complained that they had to buy non-AC bus tickets at Tk600 to travel from Netrokona Sadar to Dhaka, while the regular fare is Tk400 for each seat.

Holidaymakers also said rent-a-car services were also overcharging for renting vehicles compared to the normal times, causing huge sufferings for them.