New taxicabs hit Dhaka streets

A new taxi service run by the Bangladesh Army has been launched to ease commuters’ woes in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina introduced the cabs of the Trust Transport Services, operating under the Army Welfare Trust, at the Army Golf Club at Kurmitola on Tuesday.

The Trust Transport Services will operate 27 cabs, while 19 others will be run by the Toma Construction and Company Ltd, a private organisation.

Both companies would gradually introduce 600 more cabs in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Hasina suggested the fare for the first two kilometres be fixed at Tk 85, instead of the Tk 100 decided earlier.

“As a lot of questions have been raised over the fixing of the fare, it will be good if it is kept at Tk 85 for the first two kilometres. It can be increased later.”

Beyond the initial slab, the fare for each additional kilometre has been set at Tk 34, and the waiting charge at Tk 8.50 for every two minutes.

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, who was also present at the ceremony, said the 1500cc Toyota cabs run on high-octane fuel.

The air-conditioned cars will have security tracking, monitoring, and metering systems.

Hasina underscored the importance of taxis in metropolitan life. “We launched taxicab service in 1996 after assuming office. But the service faltered due to various reasons.”

She thanked the communications ministry and the Army Welfare Trust for starting what is being described as a safe taxi service.

The communications minister added that if any passenger left behind his/her mobile phone in the cab, a video system inside the car will keep a record of it.