The introduction of water taxis is an uncharted avenue in Dhaka’s public transport domain, and one that is definitely worth investing time and resources in.
Dhaka has too long suffered from congestion, and a good way to lessen this is by diversifying the kind of transport offered to the public.
The new water taxis currently serve the Hatirjheel, going from Kawran Bazar to Rampura and Badda, with four taxis currently in service, each with a capacity of 45 people.
It must be noted with caution that this is not the first of its kind. Previously, a water-bus service was initiated, but due to poor service, it did not catch on among the public.
The authorities must make sure the water taxis do not meet a similar fate.
Waterways have been popular avenues of transport throughout the world, in cities such as Bangkok and London, and can be a significant addition to Dhaka’s public transport services.
The government’s work does not end there. City officials and planners should introduce more services of its kind to provide the public with more options when it comes to commuting from one part of the city to another.
The introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit and Mass Rapid Transit are two projects the government has in the pipeline which could potentially ease the burden on the Dhaka commuter.
It is now crucial that the government sticks to its plan and completes these projects in due time. In a city with a rapidly increasing population, time is of the essence.
They must also ensure that the services provided are quick, efficient, and safe for the passengers and that more taxis are introduced across a wider network.
It is hoped that there will be more such initiatives in the future. An effective public transport system is crucial to realising Bangladesh’s dreams of achieving middle-income status in the near future.