The inhabitants of the Dhaka city are likely to see new taxi cabs in the city by next month.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has approved the import of 60 cabs, among the 500, which are probably to be seen on the streets by mid-April.
The process of importing 60 taxi cabs has been completed, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader told the media on Sunday. “They will arrive this month.”
“Hopefully, they will be plying the city streets before Pahela Boishak (Bengali New Year),” the minister said. “It will reduce the transport crisis in the capital.”
Two companies received permission from BRTA after taking part in a tender bid to import 500 taxi cabs.
“Toma Construction and Company and the army welfare trust have been given clearance to import 250 cabs each,” BRTA Director Engineer Saiful Haque said.
The new cabs have been approved under air-conditioned and non-air conditioned categories and are likely to ply in the city and its outskirts.
“We have relaxed the terms and conditions to speed up the import of cabs to ease the demand of the city dwellers,” Minister Obaidul Quader said.
“The government has decided to introduce 1,000 cabs with modern facilities for Dhaka city,” the minister added.
The cabs will have to be less than three-years-old reconditioned vehicle, the BRTA director said. They will have a minimum engine capacity of 1500,cc.
Yellow cabs will have air-conditioning facilities and blue cabs will be for non-air conditioned travel. “These cabs will run as per passengers’ direction. Any defaulters will be penalised – their driver’s license will be seized.”
