15 more bus operators to introduce e-ticketing today

E-ticketing will begin in 711 buses of 15 more companies, which operate from the capital's Mohammadpur, Azimpur and Gabtali areas, from 10 January.

"As part of our pledge that all the city buses will come under e-ticketing system, digital ticketing will be introduced in 15 more companies from Tuesday," disclosed Bus Owners Association Secretary General Enayet Ullah at a press conference on Monday.

Previously, e-ticketing was introduced in 1643 buses of all 30 companies that operate on the Mirpur route. With this, a total of 45 companies in Dhaka are coming under e-ticketing, he added.

Drivers of these buses will no longer be allowed to operate the vehicles on the waybill system or cash payments.

Enayet Ullah said, this move was taken by stakeholders to reduce the hassles of passengers, ensure tickets at fair prices and tackle the ill competition between vehicles plying the same routes.

"I cannot say that we have been able to launch the e-ticketing system 100%. There are still some irregularities. But the owner's association is working to stop the charging of extra fares on buses. We have formed three vigilance teams which have been active on streets for months," he said replying to a query.  

"A monitoring cell also has been formed for e-ticketing on behalf of the Association. A hotline has been set up for this purpose. Nine people have been appointed as special checkers by the association to visit the entire Dhaka city and look into the matter," he added.

Enayet Ullah said, "Of the total 5650 buses that operate in and around the capital, e-ticketing has been launched in a total of 2,354 buses. E-ticketing will be launched for the rest of the buses in Dhaka by February 28."

Around 60 companies operate in the city and some 37 others are providing services in the suburbs.

"When e-ticketing is introduced, the unequal competition of buses plying in Dhaka city will stop," he said, adding, "We are working to improve passenger service in the city buses."

He also urged the passengers to be aware and collect the e-ticket when paying fare. He also warned that they are thinking of imposing a fine if anyone pays or receives fare without a ticket.

Earlier, the transport owners in collaboration with Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) launched e-ticketing in buses of eight companies on the Mirpur route on 22 September on a trial basis.

Then they introduced the system in buses of 22 companies on the same route from 13 November.

Both passengers and bus staff were happy with the launching of the e-ticketing system as it prevented passengers and bus employees from quarrelling over fares. 

There are, however, allegations that sometimes bus workers collect fares without using POS machines.