Published : 10 Feb 2026, 06:40 PM
Updated : 28 Aug 2026, 01:32 AM
The roads of Dhaka have become virtually empty as the public holiday nears ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections and referendum vote.
Since Tuesday morning, the streets of the capital have not bustled with the typical rush of the working day. While there were a handful of private vehicles on most road, public transport seemed limited throughout the city.
The lack of public transport has made things difficult for commuters, with many forced to pay extra to hire private transport. More CNG-powered autorickshaws, and battery rickshaws have been seen on major roads than usual.
A private sector employee named Dipon was unable to board public transport to Uttara after waiting for more than an hour at Shyamoli.
He said, “I waited for an hour on my way to the office, I didn’t get a bus. The few buses that came were too crowded to board. Later, I was forced to come to the office on a CNG [autorickshaw].”
Nur Uddin, assistant driver of Bhuiyan Paribahan in the Bijoy Sarani area, said that the police had requisitioned many vehicles. And many buses were not plying the road on Tuesday because of expectations of few customers throughout the day.
Abu Sayem Nayan, assistant commissioner of the Gulshan Zone traffic police, said: “Many people have already left Dhaka to vote, and few are going out if it is not necessary. Overall, there is no pressure on Dhaka’s roads.”
A large number of city buses have left Dhaka since Monday night as the public holiday for industrial zone workers began on Tuesday. Since the movement of vehicles will be suspended during the election, the police official believes that those buses will not return to Dhaka before the election.
“The owners of the buses that are still be here may not be operating all of them, thinking that there are fewer passengers. That is why there is less bus traffic on the roads.”
Since Tuesday morning, a large number of people returning home have been flocking to Dhaka’s bus terminals amid the industrial zone holiday. This has led to traffic jams on nearby highways.
Passengers have complained of increased fares being charged due to the resulting bus shortage. A passenger waiting for a bus in the Dholaipar area said that few tickets are available, even at sharp mark-ups. Although tickets to Patuakhali usually cost Tk 500, today buses are charging Tk 1,000, he said.
Passengers are reportedly waiting for long-distance buses at various stops from Mohakhali to Tongi. A Mymensingh-bound passenger named Raisul waiting in the Banani area, said that there is currently a bus shortage and increased fares are being charged, as often happens ahead of Eid.
He said, “Whereas the bus fare to Mymensingh is usually Tk 200 to 250, they are now asking for Tk 500 to 600. Many people are leaving on trucks because they cannot get a bus.”
The government has declared public holidays on Feb 11 and Feb 12 surrounding the parliamentary elections and referendum vote. In addition, a special holiday has been declared on Feb 10 to ensure the voting rights of workers in industrial areas.
