All buses in Dhaka's Mirpur region will collect fares from passengers through e-ticketing starting Sunday.
Moreover, e-ticketing service will be introduced to all buses in Dhaka city by January 31, 2023 and in surrounding areas by February 28.
Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Secretary General Khandkar Enayet Ullah revealed the developments in a press conference on Saturday, reports Bangla Tribune.
Khandaker Enayet said that sufficient manpower has been appointed to manage the e-ticketing system.
The general secretary said for a long time, bus passengers have been complaining about extra fares.
“To solve this problem, on September 22, we introduced the rule of collecting fares through e-tickets on eight buses in Mirpur region. After an initial hiccup, now the buses are making a profit. Besides collecting extra fare has decreased as well,” he added.
A monitoring cell comprising two officials has been set up in Dhaka to resolve the complaints and problems of passengers, Khandaker Enayet added.
He said that three hotline numbers will be used to report complaints. The hotline numbers are 01618933531, 01618936185, 01870146422.
He said the introduction of e-ticketing system, will reduce additional fare collection, unfair bus competition and passenger harassment. Besides, drivers and laborers will be brought under payroll.
There are 30 bus companies in Mirpur. 60 bus companies in the capital and 37 bus companies in the suburbs accumulated to 97 bus companies.
A total of 5,650 buses under 97 companies run in Dhaka and its suburbs. Among them, 3,014 buses ply within the capital. The rest branch out to Dhaka and surrounding districts and upazilas.
Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association Office Secretary Samdani Khandkar, Managing Director and Chairman of various bus companies and leaders of Mirpur, Fulbaria, Syedabad and Gulistan labour unions were present at the press conference among others.