The role of transports in economic growth and overall socio-economic development is well known to all. With the advancement of modes of transportation coupled with improved management, many countries worldwide have made the mobility of people and goods faster and safer. Countries like Bangladesh still struggle to provide their citizens with a safe, decent and accessible transportation system. They need to introduce sustainable transports, which combine universal access, enhanced safety, reduced environmental and climate impact, improved resilience, and greater efficiency in the overall transport system. Sustainable transports will also help achieve sustainable development in the long run.
Against this backdrop, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on May 16, this year declared November 26 as the Sustainable Transport Day. So, the day will be observed tomorrow across the world for the first time by educating people and holding events on sustainable transport issues. The core areas in focus include enhancing intermodal transport connectivity, promoting environmentally friendly transportation and developing socially inclusive transport infrastructure.
For Bangladesh, it is necessary to observe the day for obvious reasons. Five decades after the independence, the country has yet to develop an efficient public transport system. Instead, there is a growing dependence on private, individualistic, and small transport like rickshaws and motorcycles, resulting in costly, chaotic, and careless mobility. It also reflects the lack of intermodal transport connectivity, which helps reduce dependence on the private automobile as the primary mode of ground transportation and increases the use of public transport. Shuttle buses inside a city to carry passengers travelling by train from outside the city are an efficient intermodal connectivity that is nowhere in the country.
Promoting environment-friendly transportation or green transport is also critical for the sake of both people and plants. This transportation significantly reduces carbon emissions, which is relatively high in the sector. Introducing green or electric buses by replacing the existing diesel-run public buses can significantly cut emissions in the country. Encouraging people to use bicycles instead of motorcycles is another step that requires dedicated lanes. Carpooling is another option that also saves spending. Avoiding non-essential air travel is also helpful to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The success of intermodal transport connectivity or green transportation is linked to the socially inclusive transport infrastructure. It is not enough to construct wider roads, flyovers, and expressways as all these need optimal access to commuters. Allowing only private cars on an expressway may help some people travel a few kilometres quickly, whereas many commuters using public transport must navigate through congested roads.
Besides the mobility of people, it is also essential to ensure smooth transportation of goods from factory gates to seaports, from storage houses to retail shops. Otherwise, the cost of doing business will increase.
With the help of sustainable transport mechanisms, it is possible to cut the cost and ensure efficiency in transporting goods.
As Bangladesh has to go a long way before accessing sustainable transports, necessary measures are needed without delay. Sadly, the ongoing development of traffic and transit systems is not adequately aligned with sustainable transport. So, some restructuring is essential in this connection.
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