Passengers to require e-tickets to ride Dhaka city, suburban buses

The system will be rolled out fully within a week, with technical support from Urban Move Tech

Passengers on buses operating in Dhaka and its suburban routes will now have to purchase e-tickets before boarding.

The system was officially launched at a press conference on Monday at a hotel in the capital and is expected to be fully implemented within a week.

The initiative will be executed with support from Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association, the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, the Dhaka District Road Transport Workers Union, and several other workers’ organisations.

Urban Move Tech, a company specialising in digital transport solutions, is providing technical assistance for the e-ticketing system.

Reading a written statement at the event, Saiful Alam, general secretary of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners' Association, said: "Urban Move Tech has signed agreements with the respective transport companies on each route and has taken overall responsibility for managing the e-ticketing system.”

Under the new system:

• All buses will pick up and drop off passengers at designated stops.

• Passengers must obtain e-tickets via an app or device before boarding.

• Fares will not exceed government-approved rates, and students will continue to pay half the fare.

“We believe this system will reduce traffic congestion, curb unfair competition among buses, improve passenger safety and comfort, and prevent extortion on the roads,” Saiful said.

He noted that bus services in Dhaka and surrounding areas have operated in a “disorderly manner” for the past 16 years due to a lack of designated bus stops, outdated traffic management, absence of proper route permits, difficulties in obtaining drivers’ licences, and the contract-based operation of buses rather than fixed salaries.

According to him, this has led to reckless competition, accidents, poor service, and vehicles in dilapidated condition

“To address these issues and improve service standards, safety, and traffic management, the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association, the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, and the DMP’s Traffic and Crime divisions have jointly decided to introduce e-ticketing and counter-based systems for buses in the city and suburbs,” he said.

“Discussions have been held over the past eight months with the road transport and bridges ministry, the home ministry, Dhaka North and South City Corporations, Dhaka and Gazipur Metropolitan Police, the Roads and Highways Department, district administrations, Highway Police, transport workers, and companies,” he said.

IMPLEMENTATION

Urban Move Tech Managing Director Junayed Abdullah said QR codes will be installed at more than 800 bus stops across Dhaka.

Passengers will be able to scan the codes, download the app and purchase tickets themselves.

For those without smartphones, more than 3,500 ticket masters will be deployed to assist with ticket purchases.