Incidents of hot exchange of words and even scuffle between passengers and bus conductors are being reported everyday.

According to government's re-fixed rates, large buses should charge 72 paisa per kilometre in place of 62 paisa and minibuses 75 paisa in place of 65 paisa.

At this rate, bus fare from Comilla to Dhaka comes to around Tk 69. But buses plying the route are realising fares between Tk 75 and 80. Passengers are harassed to realise this fare, many of them alleged while talking to this correspondent yesterday.

The administration did not take any step to enforce the government fixed fare, said an irate Abdul Halim of the town, who came from Dhaka.

A representative of the bus owners association when contacted said rise in prices of fuel and spares compelled them realise more fare.

On the other hand, over 50 per cent of the buses plying different routes have no fitness certificate, it was gathered.