Govt prioritises single-route bus reform over EV rollout

The government is prioritising reforms in the existing city bus service under a 'one-route-one-company' model, rather than launching electric bus (EV) operations on a single route as initially proposed by a development partner.
The government has also plans to introduce electronic ticketing in buses, similar to the MRT service, along with a uniform per-kilometre fare structure.
State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Habibur Rashid Habib disclosed this while talking to The FE at his Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) office last week.
When asked about the government's plan to bring discipline to Dhaka city's bus system, he said the authorities have strategically decided to introduce single-company operations on designated routes, with uniform bus colours, as it would be realistic given the present context of the city.
"We have not taken any final decision on EV buses but have kept it in mind," the state minister clarified, stressing that the government does not want multi-company bus services operating on the same routes, as it is a major cause of chaotic traffic congestion.
However, the interim government had, in principle, agreed to introduce 400 EV buses in the city following a proposal from the World Bank (WB). Although the WB approved the funding for the EV bus project, implementation has stalled as related development project proposals were not approved during the interim government's tenure.
The state minister did not clarify whether the Bus Route Franchise (BRF) system under the Bus Route Rationalisation (BRR) project -- initiated during the previous Awami League regime but making little headway -- would be revived, or if a fresh conceptual framework would be adopted.
He said existing buses would be reorganised under the new single-route company structure, adding that all stakeholders have given positive indications of cooperation.
The government's new strategy reflects long-standing demands for bus route rationalisation, which the previous government failed to implement due to non-cooperation from bus operators.
Earlier, the previous Awami League government introduced the Dhaka Nagar Paribahan service by assigning a single operator to specific routes. However, the initiative failed to gain traction as multiple operators continued to run buses on the same routes. A similar attempt by the interim government on another route also yielded limited success.
Highlighting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's commitment to improving traffic conditions, the state minister said a meeting would be held soon to take decisions in this regard.
State Minister Habib also indicated plans to introduce electronic ticketing in buses using the Rapid Pass system, similar to the MRT service, along with a uniform per-kilometre fare structure.
On the issue of fare revision, he said the government is contemplating a standardised per-kilometre fare structure for the city, as bus operations transition toward limited company models.

smunima@yahoo.com