Thousands of passengers in Tongi, Gazipur faced severe transport shortages on Tuesday as they tried to travel home ahead of the national election. Long waits at bus stops along the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway yielded few available buses, and fares surged from the usual 200 taka to as high as 500 taka. Many commuters, unable to find seats, resorted to traveling on pickup trucks and mini-trucks at inflated prices, risking their safety to reach their destinations.

The rush followed factory closures in the industrial area of Tongi, where numerous garment and other factories declared holidays for employees to vote. Crowds filled Tongi Bazar, Station Road, Millgate, Cherag Ali, College Gate, and Gazipura, as well as the Tongi Railway Junction, where passengers waited from early morning but could not board overcrowded trains. Some reported paying up to 650 taka for long-distance bus tickets.

Gazipur Metropolitan Traffic Police Inspector Zahid Majumdar said the shortage occurred because many long-distance buses had not yet returned from previous trips, forcing passengers to take unsafe transport options despite warnings.