Private bus owners must pay Tk 1,059 crore in bribes each year: TIB

Private bus operators must pay at least Tk 1,059 crore in bribes each year, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

According to the report, some corrupt Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) officials and employees, as well as police, transport associations, city corporation and municipality employees, and political party members, are aware of the bribe and ransom.

The TIB held a press conference today at its Dhanmondi office in Dhaka to disclose the research findings.

"The estimate is very conservative. The real amount would be manifold," Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of the TIB, said at the conference.

"The sector is plagued by irregularities top to bottom. Political influence has kept it hostage, and as a result people are not getting expected services," Iftekharuzzaman said.