ED: Bringing discipline to public transport

It is extremely encouraging to see a new bus system being introduced in Dhaka, which is to begin operations from December 1.

It was six years ago when the initiative for this project was taken, and while the lengthy time once again paints the familiar picture of inefficiency and failure to meet deadlines for Bangladesh, the fact that the project is about to be implemented is still reason for optimism.

The public transport system in Dhaka has only regressed in recent years, with more and more buses unfit for the roads, and a mechanism that often left passengers confused. The fact that there are at least 1,600 unfit buses currently operating in Dhaka is simply unacceptable, and it puts passengers and anyone on the roads in grave danger.

Therefore, this new bus system will hopefully bring the much-needed discipline into the public transport sector, and in the process, make the lives of passengers, who rely on buses for their everyday commutes, easier while also making our roads safer to travel on.

In the long run, however, this is just another step in solving the overall issue of commuting in Dhaka. Dhaka’s transportation, as it currently stands, is in disarray, and daily commuters still lack a viable option that is economical and reliable to get to their destinations.

The metro rail appears to still be some way from completion, and it cannot be the only solution to commuting woes. Therefore, the authorities concerned would do well to explore further initiatives to better the transportation sector, and successfully implement this new bus system without any further delays or complications, so that citizens from all walks of life are able to travel within the city hassle-free.