Passenger pressure at Gabtoli Bus Terminal in the capital has eased somewhat ahead of Eid. While travelers to certain destinations are able to get tickets on arrival, others are still struggling to find seats.

According to people concerned, the opening of the Padma Bridge has reduced reliance on Gabtoli for passengers traveling to southern مناطق, as buses now depart from مختلف points across the city. In addition, the longer holiday period this year has allowed people to leave Dhaka over several days, reducing congestion. Many have also sent family members home earlier, contributing to the lower rush at the terminal.

A visit to the terminal between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM on Wednesday showed that most ticket counters had few or no passengers waiting, although some counters still had small crowds.

However, not everyone was able to secure tickets. One passenger said he arrived at Gabtoli in the morning but could not find a ticket to his destination even after waiting for hours. He mentioned that although he found a seat on a bus heading further south, he would have to pay the full fare for that longer route, which was significantly higher than the fare for his intended stop.

Another traveler also reported being unable to find a ticket despite checking multiple counters.

Transport operators explained that the number of buses operating from Gabtoli has decreased since the Padma Bridge opened. For example, one operator said their daily trips from the terminal have dropped significantly, and most tickets for upcoming السفر dates have already been sold. They also noted that passengers are often required to pay the full fare to the final destination, regardless of where they plan to get off.