DTCA mulls introducing all 42 bus routes under rationalisation system in capital

Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) has decided to open all the 42 routes under the Bus Route Rationalisation (BRR) plan in Dhaka. Interested transport owners will be invited to submit proposals for the operation of buses on the routes.

The decision came on Sunday (25 August) from a meeting with the relevant stakeholders at the DTCA Bhaban in the capital with Neelima Akhter, executive director of the authority, in the chair. 

Sources from closed-door meeting told The Business Standard that in addition to implementing the routes within the rationalisation framework, the DTCA intends to facilitate a company-based operation for the bus services in the capital. To this end, Sunday's meeting was first sitting with the core stakeholders.

Prior to finalising the decision, another meeting is expected soon to discuss the wider involvement of stakeholders. Before that, an assessment study will be conducted to determine the routes once again. Once the routes are opened to traffic, illegal buses will not be allowed to operate anymore.  

Commenting on the matter, Deputy Transport Planner of DTCA and BRR Project Director Dhrubo Alam told TBS that at first the list of both the active and inactive bus routes will be updated this year. Thereafter, based on the proposals prepared by the DTCA, plans for cancellation of inactive routes and introduction of new routes will be implemented with partial changes if necessary.

Mentioning that proposals from interested transport owners will be sought very soon, he said, "This is high time to launch the whole bus route rationalisation system to bring discipline in the city's transport service."

He further said once the bus route rationalisation is launched, buses will not be allowed to make stoppage outside the designated stands and the doors of the vehicles must remain closed during the journey.

The BRR project director further said more than 110 bus stops have already been constructed and more will be built if needed.  

He also warned of strict action against buses operating without route permit or violating it and those using fake permits.

BRR, or Bus Route Rationalisation, is an initiative to improve the city's public transportation system by rationalising road infrastructure and systems such as establishing route hierarchies and optimising bus stop points. In December 2021, it began piloting in the capital. 

Executive director of DTCA Neelima Akhter told TBS that the piloting programme under the BRR has not been successful in the past in Dhaka. 

The menace of illegal buses obstructed the service from reaching the expected standard, she said.

"However, DTCA will play a decisive and important role in initiating disciplined transport in Dhaka city," she added.