The sorry state of 48 double decker Volvo buses, pictured rotting in depots, in Dhaka is indicative of the mismanagement and neglect shown for public transport in the capital.
Only two out of the 50 air-conditioned, 120-seat capacity buses bought by BRTC for Tk58 crore in 2002 are still in operation.
The reason? BRTC did not budget for maintenance and repair when these buses were procured, meaning they quickly fell into such disrepair that tenders to invite private companies to revive them did not draw any interest.
It is yet more evidence of the pitiful record BRTC and private bus companies alike have in running services and maintaining standards.
Time is of the essence. Authorities have long known that over 85% of buses and minibuses running in the capital are unfit, and drivers are routinely allowed to compromise public safety by driving negligently.
The government needs to move more swiftly with plans to reform the capital’s chaotic public transport services.
Buses are the only means of transport available for most people. If Dhaka is ever going to cure its congestion crisis, the government should empower the mayors and city corporations to form a strong publicly accountable regional transport authority to take a joined-up approach to improving public transport in the capital.
This should set and regulate routes by both public and private operators and develop a more efficient unified ticketing system for fares.
To help attract commuters out of cars, this should include investing in better buses and introducing and enforcing public transport-only bus lanes on major thoroughfares.
All citizens can benefit from such a move. One properly functioning bus route can easily remove 30 cars off the road.
Improving buses is the most cost-effective means available to speed up traffic flow and reduce the costs caused by congestion and pollution.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
