Bus services will formally be inaugurated on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka on December 16.
Meanwhile, the full service is expected to launch by June next year.
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ehsanul Haque, shared this information after inspecting the BRT project at Shibabari BRT station in Gazipur on Saturday.
He highlighted that the project has incurred significant costs and delays, with the public eagerly awaiting the service.
Currently, two air-conditioned buses are running experimentally on the Shibabari-Airport route. The formal launch is scheduled for December 16, though some issues will remain unresolved.
Ehsanul Haque also mentioned that foot-over bridges at each station are inadequate, and 10 additional foot-over bridges will be constructed between the airport and Gazipur soon. With 98% of the project completed, full functionality is expected by June next year.
BRTA Chairman Yamin said while the service will begin on a small scale on December 16, any emerging issues will be addressed gradually.
BRTC Chairman Tajul Islam explained that two air-conditioned buses had been operating between Gazipur and the airport, but they did not attract enough passengers.
As a result, these buses will now run between Shibabari and Gulistan in Dhaka. After the December 16 inauguration, 10 buses will operate initially, with more added based on demand, he added.
Fares are set at Tk20 to Chaurasta, Tk35 to Board Bazar, Tk50 to Tongi College Gate, and Tk70 to the airport.
The return fares are Tk25 to College Gate, Tk40 to Board Bazar, Tk55 to Chaurasta, and Tk70 to Shibabari.
