Bangla Press Desk: The government is set to introduce sweeping reforms to Dhaka's public transport system under a revamped bus route rationalisation plan aimed at reducing traffic chaos, improving passenger services and ending reckless competition among operators.
Under the proposed plan, the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) will reduce the number of active bus routes from the current 98 to around 60, including circular and commuter routes.
The initiative seeks to streamline bus operations across the capital while easing commuter suffering caused by overlapping services and unregulated competition.
One Operator for Each Route
As part of the reforms, the government plans to introduce a one-route, one-operator policy, under which a single company or operator will be assigned to each route.
A fixed number of buses will be allocated based on passenger demand, while only vehicles with valid fitness certificates and legal documentation will be permitted to operate.
According to officials, the DTCA has already reached a consensus on 32 routes through discussions with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), bus owners and transport workers' organisations.
Illegal Routes and Unfit Buses to Be Removed
Authorities also plan to cancel inactive routes from the 418 routes currently approved by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), many of which exist only on paper.
More than 1,000 unfit buses operating on city roads will also be removed as part of the enforcement drive.
New Terminals and Parking Facilities
To reduce roadside congestion, the proposal recommends relocating route starting and ending points outside the city centre and constructing new bus terminals and depots.
The move is expected to eliminate roadside parking on major roads and improve overall traffic management.
Although the BRTA has approved 418 bus routes, only 98 are currently operational.Of these, only 80 routes hold valid operating permits, while 16 routes continue to operate without authorisation, excluding the two circular services in Hatirjheel.
Transport planners also noted that most existing routes extend beyond 30 kilometres, making them inefficient and difficult to manage.
According to a transport survey, around 3.7 million passengers use buses across Dhaka every day.
The new transport plan will prioritise high-demand corridors, including Uttara, Gazipur, Savar, Jatrabari, Gulistan and Sadarghat, where passenger volumes are the highest.
Experts Call for Strong Political Commitment
Transport expert Dr Md Hadiuzzaman of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) said route rationalisation is essential to restoring order to Dhaka's public transport system.
He said successful implementation would require strong political commitment, careful planning, transparent appointment of operators through competitive tenders, and strict enforcement of speed limits and scheduled services.
The proposed reforms are expected to mark one of the most significant changes to Dhaka's bus network in recent years, with the government aiming to create a safer, more efficient and commuter-friendly public transport system.
