Buses from today will not ply long routes after 9:00pm until further notice is issued, according to a home ministry statement.

The decision came after the home ministry and transport owners’ unity council on Monday reached an agreement on keeping buses off the roads at night to avoid hartal-blockade related violence.

“We have made the decision after meeting with transport owners and workers”, said State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal while talking to the journalists after a meeting with the council members on Monday at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

“Buses will not be carrying passengers at night until further decision comes,” said home minister after being pressed about when the restriction will be lifted. The minister, however, said it will be lifted soon.

Bangladesh road transport owners’ association general secretary Khandakar Enayetullah said “buses will operate when security is ensured.”

According to transport owners and workers unity council, 24-hour bus services to the country’s northern and southern districts can be started if security is tightened at the sensitive spots on the highways.