Dhaka's city buses expose women, children, elderly to safety risks: NCPSRR, SCRF

City buses in Dhaka are failing to ensure the safety and comfort of women, children, persons with disabilities and older people, with widespread violations of reserved-seat rules, a lack of helpers and unsafe boarding and alighting practices.

National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) and Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) came up with the observation inspecting more than 50 buses operating on different routes across the capital in September.

The findings were disclosed in a joint press release issued by the two organisations today (11 October).

The observation found that none of the buses inspected complied with government directives requiring nine seats on each bus to be reserved for women, children, persons with disabilities, freedom fighters and older people.

Although some buses displayed notices referring to the directive, most did not, according to the findings.

During inspections of crowded local buses, the observers found men occupying designated reserved seats while women, children, persons with disabilities and older passengers were often forced to stand, causing them considerable discomfort and hardship.

Besides, around 80 percent of the buses inspected had no helper to assist with passenger management and other operational tasks, the observation found.

According to the findings, drivers often rent buses from owners under daily arrangements and hire conductors to operate the services.

At the end of the day, they pay the agreed rental amount to the owners and share the remaining earnings.

To reduce operating costs, drivers and conductors avoid employing helpers, the observation noted.

The findings also highlighted unsafe practices involving bus stops and passenger movement.

Conductors frequently stop buses at designated stops as well as unauthorised locations along roads, allowing passengers to board and get off hurriedly.

Minor accidents occur almost daily, it added.

Four recommendations

To improve passenger safety and ensure compliance with transport regulations, the NCPSRR and SCRF recommended ensuring nine reserved seats on every city bus in accordance with government directives.

They also called for appointing a helper on every bus in addition to the driver and conductor, ending daily contractual arrangements under which buses are rented to drivers or conductors, and strictly preventing buses from stopping between designated stops established by city corporations.

The organisations further recommended prohibiting passengers from boarding or alighting at unauthorised locations.

Ashis Kumar Dey, general secretary of NCPSRR, said local buses in Dhaka are operating with little regard for rules and regulations.

He said bus owners appeared more concerned about maximising profits than ensuring quality passenger services.

Calling for immediate action, he urged the authorities to deploy mobile courts to curb irregularities and enforce transport regulations.

Lion Mohd Jahangir Alam, general secretary of SCRF, described the findings as a glimpse of the long-standing disorder in Dhaka's public transport system.

"We are trying to bring these problems to the attention of the government  in a manner that leaves no room for them to overlook the situation," he said.

"As part of this ongoing effort, we have undertaken this month-long monitoring initiative. Our efforts in this regard will continue throughout the year," he added.