Dhaka to have 42 bus routes, down from 291

Buses on 291 routes in Dhaka city will in future only run on 42 routes, and a high-powered committee on bus route rationalisation is working on it. 

This was stated at a press briefing by Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh at Nagar Bhaban yesterday. 

He also said buses which come from different districts will have to stay at terminals at the bordering areas of the city and will not be allowed to enter.

"If we can do it, it will reduce pressure on Dhaka and traffic congestion will lessen," Taposh said.

After the committee meeting of "Bus Route Rationalisation and Operation of Bus Services on Company Basis in Dhaka", he said they have received a report yesterday on bus routes and companies, and following proper examination, they have decided to decrease the 291 routes to 42 primarily.

"There are 2,500 bus owners running their vehicles in Dhaka city. Authorities will bring the number of bus companies down to 22, and all the owners will be able to get ownership of the companies as shareholders," he said.

He said they will hold the next meeting on December 8, and stakeholders will examine the proposal further, and will determine the cluster and routes.

"If we can all come to an understanding of clusters and routes, it will be a major step," he added.

The mayor said they are hopeful for a good result by the end of next year but did not want to give a specific time-frame.

The number of terminals in Dhaka city is very limited: only three in Dhaka, two in DSCC and one in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).

Buses usually park on roads due to lack of space, he said.

A feasibility study is ongoing and a report will be submitted by March, where location of bus depots and terminals will be selected, he said.

Ten terminals were decided primarily, but the study will find out how many terminals are required, he said.

"Finalising location and number of terminals will be another big step in the process," he added.

DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam virtually joined the meeting, while DMP Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam, BRTA Chairperson Nur Mohammad Majumdar, BRTC Chairperson Md Ehsane Elahi, Rajuk Chairperson Md Sayeed Noor Alam, public transport expert Dr SM Saleh Uddin and Bangladesh Transport Owners Association General Secretary Khandaker Enayet Ullah were present in the meeting.