Dhaka, March 20 -- Homebound travellers on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway have been facing bus shortages and higher fares on the eve of Eid, with some forced to take risky trips in trucks and pickup vans.

People heading to the northern districts were still returning home on Friday, but public transport on the route was running below normal levels, creating a marked shortage of buses.

Many passengers were seen waiting for hours at the Rabna and Elenga bus stands, some alone and others with their families, hoping to find a vehicle home.

Several travellers complained that transport workers were demanding extra fares at the last moment.

Mizanur Rahman, who was travelling to Dimla in Nilphamari, said he had decided to leave on the...