TL;DR:
- All buses in Dhaka will soon operate under the unified Dhaka Nagar Paribahan system to streamline the city’s chaotic transport network.
- Bus companies have until November 30 to apply for inclusion, with 80 companies already having submitted applications.
- A small committee will be formed to design the business model, and buses will operate on 42 designated routes across the city.
- The initiative, first launched in 2016, has faced delays but aims to improve public transport by merging 291 routes into 42 under a joint venture.
In a significant move to streamline Dhaka’s chaotic public transportation system, all city buses will soon be required to operate under the unified banner of Dhaka Nagar Paribahan. This decision was announced on November 11, 2024, by Nazrul Islam, the Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and President of the Bus Route Rationalisation Committee, during a press briefing held at the city corporation office.
“If a company wants to operate buses on a route, they will have to do it under Dhaka Nagar Paribahan,” Nazrul Islam stated after the committee’s 29th meeting. The initiative, which has faced numerous delays since its inception in 2016, aims to bring order to the capital’s notoriously disorganized bus system.
The Dhaka Nagar Paribahan initiative was first introduced by former Dhaka North mayor Annisul Huq in 2016. However, after his untimely death in 2017, the project lost momentum. The issue resurfaced during the road safety movement led by students in 2018, prompting renewed discussions on bus route rationalization.
Nazrul Islam revealed that so far, 80 bus companies have applied to join the scheme, with applications being accepted until November 30. A small committee of 10-12 members will be formed to outline the business model and operational structure for the buses. The next meeting is scheduled for December 11, where further decisions are expected.
Under this plan, buses will run on 42 routes across Dhaka under the Dhaka Nagar Paribahan name. Companies wishing to operate on these routes will be evaluated based on specific qualifications. The city administration hopes that this move will encourage bus owners to cooperate in creating a more comfortable and efficient transportation system for Dhaka’s millions of commuters.
The Dhaka Nagar Paribahan initiative has faced several challenges over the years, primarily due to resistance from private bus operators and lackluster participation. Despite efforts to merge the city’s 291 bus routes into 42 and group them into six clusters distinguished by different colored buses (green, blue, pink, etc.), progress has been slow. As of now, only two routes have been fully implemented under this plan.
In December 2021, a pilot project was launched with 30 wide-bodied buses from the state-owned Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), with plans for an additional 70 buses from private operators. However, only six companies joined with a limited number of buses.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to rationalize bus routes and reduce traffic congestion in one of the world’s most densely populated cities. Experts have long advocated for such reforms as a way to improve safety and efficiency in public transport. The current system often incentivizes reckless driving as drivers race to complete more trips per day under a trip-based payment model.
Despite these challenges, the authorities remain optimistic about bringing all city buses under Dhaka Nagar Paribahan. Nazrul Islam expressed hope that this unified system would eventually lead to a more disciplined and reliable public transport network for Dhaka’s residents.
As Dhaka continues to grapple with severe traffic congestion and an overburdened transportation network, this latest push for reform could mark a turning point in efforts to modernize and regulate the city’s bus services. Whether private operators fully embrace this change remains to be seen, but with deadlines approaching and continued government pressure, the future of public transport in Dhaka may finally be on track for improvement.
Source: The News
