Two more routes with 100 new buses launched Thursday

Dhaka Nagar Paribahan has been launched in two more routes with 100 new buses in a bid to restore order in the capital city as Dhaka dwellers suffer immensely due to traffic chaos.

Road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday inaugurated the bus service in the afternoon.

Some 50 buses will operate on the route, stretching from Ghatarchar of Keraniganj to the government staff quarters in Demra, via Mohammadpur Town Hall, Asad Gate, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, Kakrail, Fakirapul, Motijheel, Tikatuli, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, and Konapara.

50 buses will operate on the route, stretching from Ghatarchar to Kadamtali of Postagola, via Waspur, Basila, Mohammadpur Town Hall, Asad Gate, Kalabagan, Science Lab, New Market, Azimpur, Palashi, Chankharpool and Mayor Hanif Flyover.

Some 50 buses will operate on the route, stretching from Ghatarchar of Keraniganj to the government staff quarters in Demra, via Mohammadpur Town Hall, Asad Gate, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, Kakrail, Fakirapul, Motijheel, Tikatuli, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, and Konapara.

Bus route rationalisation committee launched Dhaka Nagar Paribahan bus services on 26 December 2021 in a bid to restore order in the transport sector in the capital, stretching from Ghatarchar to Kanchpur via Mohammadpur, Jigatala, Press Club, Motijheel and Jatrabari.

At the time, the route started its journey with BRTC's 30 double-decker buses and 20 buses of a private company.

There are two thousand owners of Dhaka mass transport. Bus operates on over 200 routes in Dhaka and its adjacent areas. Accidents take place when a bus tries to recklessly overtake another.  

In a 20-year transport plan of 2004, it was recommended to introduce bus route rationalisation in a bid to bring a change in the system.

Under this special arrangement, the main target was to remove the old buses, and operate new buses on easy-term loan. Bus will be operated under five to six companies. The owners will get profit in accordance with investment.

In accordance with the plan, bus was launched in December 2021. There was a huge response after inauguration of the bus service on pilot basis from Ghatarchar to Kanchpur route. Passengers, however, expressed discontent over old bus on the route and mismanagement.

After the inauguration of two new bus routes in Mohammadpur, bus route rationalisation committee president and Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Fazle Noor Taposh said new bus will operate in Dhaka from now on.

Inaugurating the bus routes, road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader said, "It is a great challenge for us to restore order in the transport sector. We have to overcome this challenge. I urge all to make this initiative successful."

Speaking as the special guest at the event, Dhaka North City Corporation mayor Atiqul islam said no vehicle will be allowed to ply without route permit. Bus of a designated route will not be allowed to operate in another route.