While last-minute campaigning is in full swing for the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation polls, city dwellers are also voicing their expectations from the future mayors.
There are a number of issues that common people believe need immediate attention of the mayors to be elected next week. However, it seems an improved public transportation system is topping the list, especially when female professionals are concerned.
Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, several female commuters in the capital expressed their displeasure at the current state of the public transport system. The most complained-about issues were the unreasonable fare charged by CNG-run autorickshaws and fear of being harassed in public buses.
“The autorickshaw drivers automatically raise the fare when they see female passengers; it’s unfair,” said Sadia Doha, a public relations professional.
Another problem is the people's overall reluctance to adhere to traffic laws, which makes safe and timely movement around the capital very difficult, she said.
“Also, walking from one place to another is not easy in Dhaka. Women, especially, can hardly walk on the footpaths without fearing harassment. I expect the future mayor to resolve these issues when he takes office,” she said.
Sadia also believes that a positive mindset among people is a necessity to have a safe travelling environment in public buses – a sentiment shared by Sabrina Karim, a young journalist.
“Travelling on a public bus is demoralising. Female passengers are frequently subjected to discrimination and harassment, which should not be the case. The environment in general is very anti-female, which makes it difficult for professionals like us to commute,” she told the Dhaka Tribune.
“Modes of transport such as CNG autorickshaws and taxis are unnecessarily expensive. Buses are no better either. The situation of public transport improved a little during the tenure of the last caretaker government, but it did not last long.
“Personally speaking, however, I don’t think any mayor can make any difference; they lack honest intention, their only goal being earning money,” said a young professional, who sought anonymity.
Manhaz Rahman, an interior designer, thinks CNG-run autorickshaws need to be monitored more strictly. “They hardly follow meter readings and demand fares as they please. I have even heard that some police officials own these autorickshaws, which is why they do not follow their meters.
“The government needs to devise a system where the autorickshaw drivers get a reasonable fare, and passengers do not have to pay more than is required,” she said.
Laju Akther, a private service holder, said travelling on public buses was a horrifying experience for her. “Men travelling with us throw vulgar comments at us. Sometimes they even try to grope women. The newly-elected mayor needs to address this issue as soon as possible and ensure safe travel for women in the city.”
While safe commuting got the most priority in these professionals’ list of improvements they expect to see in their cities, they addressed other issues as well, such as better and environment-friendly waste management, strict monitoring of high-rise construction to make sure the building guidelines are followed, and effective rehabilitation of homeless people and slum-dwellers.