Six new bus routes to begin in Dhaka on Nov 1

The government has taken an initiative to reorganise bus routes in the capital to bring discipline to public transport and reduce traffic congestion. Under the plan, the existing 98 operational bus routes will be consolidated into 32 integrated routes, with bus services on six routes scheduled to begin on Sunday (November 1).

The initiative is being implemented under the Bus Route Rationalisation Project of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA). The remaining routes will be brought under the new system in phases.

Officials say unhealthy competition among buses operated by multiple companies on the same roads, random passenger pick-ups and drop-offs, excessive numbers of buses and failure to follow designated stops have long contributed to traffic congestion and disorder in Dhaka. Meanwhile, some areas face a shortage of buses.

The route restructuring aims to address these problems by considering passenger demand and road capacity.

DTCA Executive Director Mohammad Mashiur Rahman told BSS that the initiative was designed to address longstanding disorder in the capital's public transport system.

He said Dhaka currently has 98 operational bus routes, which are planned to be reorganised into 32 integrated routes.

The plan was developed by analysing passenger demand, road capacity and vehicle movement data, with the aim of establishing a more organised, safe and passenger-friendly public transport system.

How the plan was developed

According to DTCA sources, the initiative to rationalise bus routes in Dhaka was first taken in 2011 through the then Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB), but it could not be implemented.

In 2019, the DTCA began reviewing previous studies and developing a revised plan. Initially, 42 routes were proposed. Following consultations and reviews with different stakeholders, agreement was reached on 32 routes.

The process involved the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Dhaka North and South City Corporations, bus owners and transport workers' organisations.

Surveys were conducted on all 98 operational routes between 2024 and 2026. Passenger boarding and alighting patterns were monitored across 18 trips on each route, collecting information from more than 10,000 passengers.

The authorities also analysed travel origin and destination data from more than 35,000 bus passengers.

In addition, traffic counts were conducted continuously for 72 hours at 72 important locations across the capital. Drone images were also used to assess infrastructure conditions across approximately 400 kilometres of the bus network.

The collected data was analysed using software to develop a public transport model.

Six routes to launch on Sunday

Shibbari Chourasta, Gazipur–Dhakeshwari Temple, Azimpur, via Abdullahpur.

Mirpur Zoo–Chulkutia, via Science Lab.

Ghatar Char, Basila–Demra Staff Quarter, via Shahbagh and Matsya Bhaban.

Basila, Mohammadpur–Chittagong Road and Kanchpur Bridge, Narayanganj, via Science Lab and Jigatola.

Ghatar Char, Mohammadpur–Dhaur Bridge, Abdullahpur, via Mirpur-10.

Tongi College Gate–Dhakeshwari Temple, Azimpur, via Abdullahpur.

37–38 lakh passenger trips expected daily

According to the DTCA plan, the proposed 32 routes are expected to accommodate approximately 3.7–3.8 million passenger trips daily, equivalent to around 8 per cent of total person trips.

On average, approximately 70 per cent of the proposed routes will overlap with existing bus routes.

Major proposed corridors include Shibbari in Gazipur to Azimpur, Mirpur Zoo to Keraniganj of Ghatar Char to Demra and Kanchpur, and Ghatar Char through Mirpur to Dhaur in Abdullahpur.

Between 70 and 250 non-air-conditioned buses are planned for operation on these routes.

The plan also proposes introducing 20 air-conditioned buses on the 22.89-kilometre Tongi College Gate–Azimpur route.

Three circular bus services are also planned around Farmgate-Palashi, Mohammadpur and Uttara, with 20 buses proposed for each route.

Several transport operators, including Dhaka Chaka, Ramzan Ali Enterprise, Four Star Bus Line and PNP City Service, have been mentioned in the plan. Designated parking and bus holding areas have also been proposed at different locations.

Under the route rationalisation initiative, authorities are considering operating buses on each designated route through a single company.

Officials expect the arrangement to reduce competition for passengers, ensure buses stop at designated locations and restore discipline to the capital's public transport system.

Source: BSS

-MT