Transport shortage in Dhaka leaves commuters in the lurch

Several bus operators have suspended services due to qualms about the new counter-based ticketing system, affecting multiple routes across the capital

Bus services in Dhaka have been severely disrupted as several transporters have halted operations, citing misgivings about the new counter-based ticketing system. The suspension affected multiple routes across the capital, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

On Wednesday morning, long queues of passengers were seen waiting for transport at major bus stands, including Kuril, Khilkhet, the airport area, Shewra, and Banani.

According to the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association, drivers from operators Turag, Anabil, and Airport Paribahan have refused to operate under the new system, leading to the ongoing crisis. Authorities are in talks with them, and the situation is expected to improve within a few days.

COMMUTERS VOICE FRUSTRATION

Many passengers shared their struggles. Rashedul Alam, a resident of Khilkhet Namapara, said, "There are no Rida, Anabil or Turag buses on the road, leaving hundreds of people stranded."

“Thousands of passengers travelling via Badda-Rampura towards Jatrabari and Shanir Akhra are facing difficulties. There is an AC counter service called Iqbal, but it doesn’t open before 10am. In Bangladesh, it’s too easy to hold ordinary people hostage,” he added.

Enam Ahmed, a resident of Kuril Bishwa Road, faced a similar ordeal.

"I take my daughter to school in Uttara by CNG autorickshaw and usually return by bus. But today, I couldn’t find a single bus, so I had to take a motorcycle ride. On my way back, I saw huge crowds waiting at the airport, Khilkhet, and Kuril Bishwa Road bus stands. This problem has been ongoing for the past few days."

Mahbubur Rahman, a Badda resident who works in Uttara’s Azampur, struggled to get to work for two days. Frustrated, he took leave on Wednesday and Thursday.

"Yesterday, I stood for over two and a half hours waiting for a bus. After much difficulty, I finally got one. The return journey was just as bad. That’s why I decided to take two days off -- I won’t even step out of my house."

Many commuters also took to social media to vent their frustration.

A user named Fahim Ferdaus wrote on Traffic Alert, a Facebook page focussed on Dhaka’s traffic and public transport: “There’s a long queue from Farmgate to Banani, but only one Airport Paribahan bus is running. The transport crisis is severe. There’s heavy traffic, but buses are not available when needed. Those who travel to Banani regularly know how bad things have gotten.”

Posting a picture of passengers hanging onto a bus door, another user, Tawseef Sadat, wrote: “Khilkhet, 8:30 am. Complete chaos! The ticketing system has made things even worse for passengers.”

Another user, Safayet Mahmud, commented, “I’m willing to struggle more for buses, but the government should cancel the licences of those who are keeping buses off the road and introduce their own transport instead.”

TRANSPORT OWNERS BLAME DRIVERS

Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association General Secretary Md Saiful Alam acknowledged the issue and said that some transport companies’ drivers were refusing to operate under the counter-based system, causing bus shortages on certain routes. However, Iqbal and Balaka Paribahan have resumed operations.

He blamed the disruption on a group of drivers who previously earned more under a contract-based system.

"These drivers are creating chaos because they used to make more money through contract-based operations. We are trying to convince them."

Alam added that Balaka buses and some Rida buses had resumed services, and authorities were working to resolve the issue with two driver groups.

"Airport Paribahan operated as a local service on Tuesday, but owners were pressured to switch to the counter system. It will take a couple more days to resolve this completely."

He further explained why some drivers were resisting the transition from contract-based earnings to fixed salaries.

"Previously, drivers would deposit Tk 2,000 to the owner and earn Tk 5,000–6,000 for themselves. Under a fixed salary, they might get Tk 2,000. Some people are also instigating them. We are negotiating with the drivers and may even increase their salaries."

E-TICKETING: A PANACEA FOR DHAKA'S TRAFFIC WOES?

The counter-based e-ticketing system was introduced on Feb 6 for buses operating between Abdullahpur and various destinations in Dhaka. The initiative, covering 2,610 pink-coloured buses under 21 companies, aims to bring order to the capital’s chaotic transport system.

During the launch event, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali said, “This is the first step towards improving Dhaka’s broken traffic system. Eventually, all routes will adopt this system.”

“When foreign visitors arrive at Dhaka airport, they immediately see our messy traffic. Buses push and shove each other like cattle. People make fun of this."

However, some bus drivers operating on the Pragati Sarani route have opposed the change. On Monday, drivers and transport workers staged a protest in Sayedabad, demanding the freedom to pick up passengers anywhere rather than being restricted to designated counters.