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All public buses in Dhaka will operate on 42 routes and DTCA hopes to initially run buses on six routes from Feb 25
Published : 06 Jan 2025, 02:38 AM
Picture this: buses on all routes in Dhaka will operate under a unified company structure. Passengers will board and alight only at designated stops, the bus infrastructure will undergo changes, and fares will be collected through automated systems.
A dream? Perhaps. But it’s a plan in motion.
The Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) has set its sights on bringing order to the city’s unruly public transport. With meticulous planning, DTCA is laying the groundwork to launch this streamlined system on six key routes starting February 25. If all goes as envisioned, Dhaka’s daily commutes could soon become a whole lot smoother.
With the goal of restoring order to public transport, the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, or DTCA, has initiated the process of operating buses under a unified company structure. If all goes as planned, DTCA expects to begin operating buses on six routes from Feb 25.
The coordination authority says that buses from all transport services in Dhaka will operate on 42 routes. Each route will be managed by a single company. These 42 routes have been grouped into nine clusters: Pink, Blue, Red, Orange, Green, Purple, North, North-West, and South.
Buses in six clusters will operate within Dhaka metropolitan areas, while three will cover suburban routes. Each cluster will have buses in distinct colours, and each cluster may include multiple routes.
Applications have been invited from companies interested in operating buses under the Dhaka Nagar Paribahan routes. By December, 250 applications had been submitted, representing a combined fleet of over 3,000 buses.
The late mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, Annisul Huq, first initiated the plan to operate buses under a franchise model in 2016. In September 2018, a Bus Route Rationalisation Committee was formed to implement this initiative.
In a proposal to the committee, experts suggested rationalising bus routes in the capital through nine clusters, operated by 22 companies across 42 routes. The committee also proposed introducing buses in nine distinct colours at that time.
In December 2021, Dhaka Nagar Paribahan was launched on the Ghatarchar to Kanchpur route in Keraniganj. Buses later operated on several other routes, with two additional routes added.
However, operations gradually ceased on these routes over time.
THE PLAN TO RESTORE ORDER
DTCA has announced that public transport within Dhaka city will be branded as Dhaka Nagar Paribahan, while transport connecting the city to its outskirts will be called Shahortoli Paribahan.
Out of the 42 routes, 34 will be operated by Nagar Paribahan buses, while the remaining eight will be handled by “Shahortoli Paribahan”.
Dhrubo Alam, the project director for the Bus Route Rationalisation Project, told bdnews24.com that changes to bus infrastructure and operations are necessary for running services under a company structure.
Current bus doors will be replaced with automated doors, ensuring ease of access for passengers. The company will also handle the recruitment of drivers and helpers. Cameras will be installed on every bus and at bus stops.
“Passengers currently face difficulties getting on and off buses due to the design of the doors. These will be modernised to make access easier. Picking up and dropping off passengers at designated spots will be mandatory, and we will ensure this rule is followed. However, these changes will take time and cannot be implemented all at once,” Dhrubo elaborated.
E-TICKETING FOR FARE COLLECTION
DTCA has introduced the Rapid Pass system to streamline fare collection in public transport. Initially, fares will be collected through e-ticketing. As part of the Bus Route Rationalisation Project, 120 POS machines have already been procured to facilitate this system.
According to Project Director Dhrubo, from January, fares on the Gulshan Chaka, Dhaka Chaka, Hatirjheel Water Taxi, Hatirjheel Circular Bus Service, and one route of Dhaka Nagar Paribahan will be collected via e-ticketing.
"We will gradually introduce the automatic fare collection method using Rapid Pass. Drivers and helpers will be recruited by the operating companies, and they will not be responsible for fare collection. Passengers will pay fares automatically using machines when boarding," he added.
PROGRESS STATUS
According to the Bus Route Rationalisation Project, DTCA held a meeting with the Bus Owners’ Association on Oct 21 last year and a consultation meeting with interested operators on Dec 2. A 12-strong committee was formed to evaluate applications from companies, which met for the first time on Dec 9.
Dhrubo said the evaluation of applications from interested companies is ongoing. Routes with the highest number of applicants are being prioritised for discussions.
"We initially focused on the Green Cluster. The advisor has also instructed us to prioritise the Green Cluster. Around 40 applications have been submitted for eight routes in this cluster. We encouraged them to collaborate and come forward as a unified group. Our goal is to begin operations on at least six routes initially," he explained.
The project director added that some applicants are new and lack experience operating buses in Dhaka. Priority will be given to companies with operational experience and an existing bus fleet. If two companies wish to operate on the same route, they must form a joint venture. Only one company will operate buses on each route, eliminating competition.
"We will not approve permits for those who suddenly decide to start a company. Priority is given to existing operators. We are thoroughly evaluating every application, including the buses and depots. To operate buses, companies must be established—trade licenses alone will not suffice," he said.
HOW INTERESTED ARE OPERATORS?
Initially, TransSilva BD was the first company to operate buses under Dhaka Nagar Paribahan on the Ghatarchar to Demra route. However, they withdrew their buses last year.
Rafiqul Islam Khokon, chairman of the company, told bdnews24.com that when they first initiated the operation of buses under Dhaka Nagar Paribahan, most bus owners showed little interest in joining.
"Now, owner interest is higher. We want discipline in city transport. However, certain issues beyond our control need to be addressed. Some infrastructural problems must also be resolved," he added.
According to him, buses are not solely responsible for the disorder on the roads. Issues like hawkers occupying roads, encroachment on footpaths, and the operation of non-motorised vehicles contribute significantly to the chaos.
Controlling these factors could restore order to the streets.
"Bus drivers have licences, but rickshaw pullers don't. They neither know nor follow traffic rules. Thousands of rickshaws flood Dhaka's roads, creating disorder. These need to be regulated. DTCA has assured us that they will provide the necessary facilities. I believe if these issues are addressed, discipline will return to the roads," he said.
ROUTES FOR DHAKA NAGAR PARIBAHAN
Pink Cluster
Route 1: Abdullahpur → House Building → Azampur → Rajlaxmi → Jasimuddin → Airport → Khilkhet → Kuril → Shewra → Kurmitola Hospital → Mohakhali → Nabisco → Satrasta → Moghbazar → Malibagh Mor → Mouchak → Rajarbagh → Pirjongi Mazar → Kamalapur.
Route 2: Abdullahpur → House Building → Azampur → Rajlaxmi → Jasimuddin → Airport → Khilkhet → Kuril → Shewra → Kakoli/Banani → Mohakhali → Jahangir Gate → Bijoy Sarani → Farmgate → Kawran Bazar → Banglamotor → Shahbagh → Motsho Bhaban → Press Club → Paltan → Dainik Bangla → Shapla Chattar → Ittefaq Mor → Tikatuli → Sayedabad → Jatrabari → Jurain Rail Gate → Postogola → Ikuria.
Route 3: Abdullahpur → House Building → Azampur → Rajlaxmi → Jasimuddin → Airport → Khilkhet → Kuril → Bashundhara → Notun Bazar → Badda → Rampura → Malibagh Rail Gate → Mouchak → Kakrail → Rajmoni → Bijoynagar → Paltan → Zero Point → Gulistan → Golapshah Mazar → Fulbaria → Tatibazar → Babubazar → Jinjira → Kadamtoli → Chunkutia → Keraniganj.
Route 4: Tongi/Kamarpara → Dhour → Birulia Bridge → Eastern Housing → Priangan Gate → Mirpur Mazar Road → Gabtoli → Basila → Rayer Bazar → Hazaribagh → Kamrangirchar → Babubazar → Jinjira → Kadamtoli → Chunkutia → Keraniganj → Ikuria.
Blue Cluster
Route 5: Abdullahpur → House Building → Azampur → Rajlaxmi → Jasimuddin → Airport → Khilkhet → Kuril → Notun Bazar → Badda Link Road → Gulshan 1 → Mohakhali → Moghbazar → Motsho Bhaban → Shahbagh → Bakshi Bazar.
Route 6: Abdullahpur → House Building → Azampur → Rajlaxmi → Jasimuddin → Airport → Khilkhet → Kuril → Sheora → Kakoli/Banani → Mohakhali → Bijoy Sarani → Manik Mia Avenue → Sobhanbagh → Science Lab → Azimpur.
Route 7: Abdullahpur → House Building → Azampur → Rajlaxmi → Jasimuddin → Airport → Khilkhet → Kuril → MES → ECB Square → Kalshi → Mirpur 10 → Mirpur 1 → Technical → Gabtoli → Hemayetpur.
Route 8: Gabtoli → Technical → Darus Salam → Kallyanpur → Shyamoli → Shishu Mela → Agargaon → Bijoy Sarani → Mohakhali → Banani → Sheora → Kuril → Khilkhet → Airport → Jasimuddin → Rajlaxmi → Azampur → House Building → Abdullahpur.
Red Cluster
Route 9: Hemayetpur → Gabtoli → Technical → Kalyanpur → Shyamoli → Asadgate → Khamarbari → Farmgate → Karwan Bazar → Banglamotor → Moghbazar → Mouchak → Malibagh Railgate → Khilgaon Railgate → Rajarbagh → Fakirapool → Notre Dame College → Motijheel → Tikatuli → Sayedabad → Jatrabari → Sign Board → Kanchpur.
Route 10: Hemayetpur → Gabtoli → Technical → Shyamoli → Asadgate → Khamarbari → Farmgate → Shahbagh → Matsya Bhaban → Press Club → Paltan → GPO → Gulistan → Motijheel → Pir Jangi Mazar → Sayedabad → Jatrabari → Signboard → Kanchpur.
Route 11: Hemayetpur → Gabtoli → Technical → Shyamoli → Asadgate → Kalabagan → New Market → Azimpur → Education Board → Bakshibazar → Chankharpul → Mayor Hanif Flyover → Signboard → Narayanganj (Chashara).
Route 12: Hemayetpur → Gabtoli → Technical → Kalyanpur → Shyamoli → Asadgate → Kalabagan → Science Lab → Shahbagh → Matsya Bhaban → Press Club → Paltan → GPO → Golap Shah Mazar → Naya Bazar → Rai Saheb Bazar → Sadarghat.
Route 13: Hemayetpur → Gabtoli → Technical → Kalyanpur → Shyamoli → Agargaon → Bijoy Sarani → Mohakhali → Gulshan-1 → Badda Link Road → Rampura → Meradia Bazar → Staff Quarters.
Orange Cluster
Route 14: Mirpur Zoo → Mirpur-1 → Technical → Shyamoli → Asad Gate → Science Lab → New Market → Azimpur → Education Board → Bakshibazar → Chankharpul → Phulbaria → Tanti Bazar → Babubazar → Keraniganj → Jhilmil.
Route 15: Mirpur-12 → Mirpur-10 → Shewrapara → Agargaon → Farmgate → Shahbagh → Paltan → Golap Shah Mazar → Tantibazar → Naya Bazar → Sadarghat.
Route 16: Mirpur-14 → Mirpur 10 → Shewrapara → Agargaon → Khamarbari → Farmgate → Bangla Motor → Moghbazar → Mouchak → Kamalapur → Arambagh → Shapla Chattar → Dayaganj → Postogola → Jhilmil.
Route 17: Gabtoli → Mirpur-1 → Kalshi → Kuril → New Bazar → Beraid → Badda → Rampura Bridge → Banasree → Staff Quarters.
Route 18: Mirpur-12 → Mirpur-10 → Shewrapara → Farmgate → Shahbagh → Matsya Bhaban → Press Club → Paltan → Gulistan → Shapla Chattar → Kamalapur → Titipara →Basabo → Khilgaon Taltala.
Route 19: Mirpur Zoo → Mirpur-1 → Technical → Shyamoli → Asad Gate → Science Lab → Shahbagh → Matsya Bhaban → Press Club → Paltan → Gulistan → Shapla Chattar → Kamalapur → Titipara → Basabo → Khilgaon Taltala.
Route 20: ECB Square → Kalshi → Mirpur-10 → Kazipara → Shewrapara → Agargaon → Manik Mia Avenue → Sobhanbagh → Kalabagan → Science Lab → New Market → Dhakeshwari Temple.
Green cluster
Route 21: Ghatarchar → Bosila → Mohammadpur Bus Stand → Shankar → Jhigatala → Science Lab → Kantaban → Shahbagh → Matsya Bhaban → Kakrail → Paltan → Dainik Bangla → Shapla Chattar → Hanif Flyover → Matuail → Signboard → Chittagong Road → Kanchpur.
Route 22: Ghatarchar → Bosila → Mohammadpur Bus Stand → Asadgate → Manik Mia Avenue → Farmgate → Shahbagh → Paltan → Gulistan → Hanif Flyover → Mridhabari → Konapara → Demra Staff Quarter → Sultana Kamal Bridge.
Route 23: Ghatarchar → Bosila → Mohammadpur Bus Stand → Asadgate → Science Lab → Shahbagh → Paltan → Shapla Chattar → Kamalapur → Titipara → Sayedabad → Jatrabari → Shanirakhra → Rayerbagh → Signboard → Chittagong Road → Kanchpur.
Route 24: Ghatarchar → Bosila → Japan Garden City → Shyamoli → Shishu Mela → Agargaon → Taltola → Shewrapara → Kazipara → Mirpur-10 → Mirpur-11 → Kalshi → Zillur Rahman Flyover → Jasimuddin → Rajlaxmi → Azampur → House Building → Abdullahpur.
Route 25: Ghatarchar → Bosila → Townhall → Asadgate → Manikmia Avenue → Manipuri Para → Bijoy Sarani → Mohakhali → Sainik Club → Kakoli → Kuril → Airport → Jasimuddin → Rajlaxmi → Azampur → House Building → Abdullahpur.
Route 26: Ghatarchar → Bosila → Mohammadpur Bus Stand → Town Hall → Asadgate → Sobhanbagh → Kalabagan → Science Lab → Kataban → Shahbagh → Matsya Bhaban → Kakrail → Fakirapool → Bangladesh Bank → Arambagh → Shapla Chattar → Ittefaq → Tikatuli → Dayaganj → Jurain Railgate → Postogola → Pagla.
Route 27: Ghatarchar → Bosila → Shia Mosque → Shyamoli → Agargaon → Bijoy Sarani → Mohakhali → Gulshan-1 → Rampura Bridge → Banasree → Meradia → Staff Quarter.
Route 28: Ghatarchar → Mohammadpur Bus Stand → Jigatala → Science Lab → Shahbagh → Matsya Bhaban → Kakrail → Mouchak → Malibagh Railgate → Khilgaon Flyover → Kamalapur Stadium → Jatrabari → Staff Quarter.
Purple Cluster
Route 29: Kanchpur → Jatrabari → Basabo → Malibagh → Rampura → Badda → Notun Bazar → Kuril → Airport → Jasimuddin → Rajlokkhi → Azampur → House Building → Abdullahpur.
Route 30: Demra Ghat → Konapara → Mridhabari→ Sayedabad → Motijheel → Fakirapool → Moghbazar → Satrasta → Mohakhali → Banani → Shewra → Abdullahpur.
Route 31: Kanchpur → Jatrabari → Gulistan → Paltan → Shahbagh → Farmgate → Shewrapara → Mirpur-10 → Bhashantek.
Route 32: Demra Ghat → Konapara → Mridhabari → Sayedabad → Joy Kali Mandir → Ittefaq → Shapla Chattar → Shahbagh → Farmgate → Asad Gate → Shyamoli → Technical → Mirpur-1 → Mirpur Zoo.
Route 33: Mazar Road → Mirpur-1 → Mirpur-10 → Pallabi → Kalshi → Kuril → Airport → Rajlaxmi → Azampur → House Building → Abdullahpur.
Route 34: Signboard/Jatrabari/Sayedabad/Motijheel/Gulistan → Azimpur → Shahbagh → Science Lab → Kalabagan → Asad Gate → Shyamoli → Kallyanpur → Technical → Mirpur-1 → Diabari Bottola/Mirpur Zoo/Mirpur-12/Mirpur Pallabi.
North Cluster
Route 35: Sherpur → Kapasia → Tok → Mouchak → Konabari → Gazipur Chourasta → Cherag Ali → Tongi → Abdullahpur.
Route 36: Ghorashal → Kaliganj → Mirer Bazar → Tongi → Abdullahpur.
Route 37: Kaliakair → Chandra → Nandan Park → EPZ → Baipail → Fantasy Kingdom → Ashulia → Dhaur → Abdullahpur.
Route 38: Nandan Park → EPZ → Baipail → Fantasy Kingdom → Ashulia → Dhaur → Beribadh → Mazar Road → Mirpur-1 → Mirpur-10 → Mirpur-14.
Route 39: Chandra → Nandan Park → EPZ → Baipail → Nabinagar → Savar → Hemayetpur.
Route 40: Paturia → Manikganj → Kalampur → Dhamrai → Nabinagar → Savar → Hemayetpur.
South Cluster
Route 41: Jhilmil → Ruhitpur → Nawabganj → Dohar → Bandura → Harirampur.
Route 42: Jhilmil → Rajendrapur → Abdullahpur → Kuchiamora → Nimtala → Sreenagar → Mawa Chourasta → Louhajong.
