Two new routes under the bus route franchising initiative have finally been opened on a pilot basis.
According to the Bus Route Rationalization Committee (BRRC), the new Dhaka Nagar Paribahan routes run from Ghatarchar to Dhaka Staff Quarters (route 22), and Ghatarchar to Kadamtoli (route 26).
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader will inaugurate the new bus service at the Basila passengers’ shed on Thursday morning.
“A total of 100 buses, 50 each, will be operated on two routes,” said Dhrubo Alam, deputy transport planner of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).
“Around 70 bus stops have already been constructed to operate the bus service,” he added.
On December 26 last year, Dhaka Nagar Paribahan began experimental operations from Ghatarchar in Keraniganj to Kanchpur in Narayanganj. The BRRC took around 10 months to add two new routes to the service.
The government formed the BRRC, headed by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, on September 09, 2018, to bring order to public transport and decongest bus routes through the introduction of a new bus management system under a new bus company.
The BRRC is still in the process of creating the company that will operate the service.
“We need more time to give shape to a company as it is a very complex process. But we are very optimistic about successfully bringing discipline to the transport system,” said Dr Md Salahuddin, a member of the BRRC and a transport expert.
“There has been great progress as two new routes will begin [on Thursday],” he added.
CourtesyStatus of bus franchising initiative
As per the BRRC’s plan, nine cluster areas (divided into green, red and yellow zones), 22 companies, and 42 routes have been proposed for the implementation of the bus route rationalization initiative.
According to the BRRC, a total of 54 routes under the ‘Green’ cluster have been combined into 8 routes. These 8 routes have been numbered from 21-28. Among them, route 21 is currently running as a pilot route from Ghatarchar in Keraniganj to Kanchpur in Narayanganj.
Later, the BRRC decided to operate 50 buses each on routes 22 and 25, as well as 100 buses on route 23.
The BRRC will start route 22 with 50 privately owned buses and route no 26 with 50 state-owned BRTC buses. Route 23 has been delayed due to a lack of interest from private investors
BRRC member Salahuddin said route 23 will be started by the end of November, and the assembling of the buses for the route is in progress.
Earlier, BRRC convenor and DSCC Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said the pilot of the bus route rationalization had been successful and the system would swiftly bring order to the transport system.
Bus route 22
Ghatarchar, Waspur, Basila, Basila CNG stand, Mohammadpur Bus Stand, Townhall, Asadgate, Farmgate, Kawran Bazaar, Bangla Motor, Shahbagh, Kakrail, Fakirapool, Motijheel, Tikatuli, Kajla, Konapara, Staff Quarters.
Bus route no 26
Ghatarchar, Waspur, Basila, Basila CNG stand, Mohammadpur Bus Stand, Town Hall, Asadgate, Sobhanbagh, Kalabagan, Science-Lab, New Market, Azimpur, Palashi, Chankharpul, Postagola and Pagla (Kadamatli Police Station).