The private bus owners across the country pay at least Tk 1,059 crore annually as bribe or ransom to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, law enforcement agencies, political leaders and owners and workers Associations.

Among the major private bus companies’ owners, around 92 per cent are involved with the political parties while 80 per cent are involved with the ruling Awami League party.

The information was revealed at a press conference organised by the Transparency International Bangladesh at its office in the capital on Tuesday.

TIB revealed a research report titled Integrity in the Business of Private Bus Owners on the day.

TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman said that the result of the report was highly conservative.

‘In reality the amount of the bribe is several times higher,’ he said and added that these bribes were distributed among different parties, including political leaders.

‘This sector is completely grabbed by the irregularities,’ he said, adding, ‘This sector is being held hostage by political parties or leaders for which the passengers are not getting the expected services.’