Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has announced a comprehensive plan to bring discipline to the capital’s public transport system by implementing a single-company management model for every bus route.
Under this initiative, companies will be formed by coordinating the existing bus owners of each specific route.
Speaking at the ‘BSRF Dialogue’ organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat on Thursday, the minister emphasised that it will be mandatory for buses to operate under specific colours and standards. Ensuring vehicle fitness and high-quality passenger service is now a compulsory requirement as the government moves forward with the implementation.
The minister stated that the current practice of multiple owners operating buses haphazardly on a single route will no longer be permitted. The prevailing competition, which leads to passengers being picked up and dropped off at random locations, is to be abolished. Instead, buses will be required to operate strictly from designated terminals and stop only at authorised locations.
In a move to further declutter the city, the government has initiated the closure of unauthorised bus counters. To prevent excessive passenger suffering particularly ahead of the Eid holidays, these measures are being executed in stages through coordination with owner-worker organisations and relevant agencies.
Furthermore, Rabiul highlighted a plan to address the long-standing infrastructural chaos at terminals, noting that many are currently misused as workshops rather than transport hubs.
As part of the modernisation effort, several major bus terminals are set to be relocated to the outskirts of the city within a two to two-and-a-half-year timeframe. The planned shifts include: Sayedabad terminal to be moved to Kanchpur; Fulbaria terminal to be moved to Keraniganj; Gabtoli terminal to be moved to Hemayetpur.
Additionally, a new modern bus depot is planned for the 300-feet area, while the current depot at Kanchpur will eventually be converted into a full terminal. He clarified that these terminals will serve exclusively as points for passengers to board and alight, rather than being used for vehicle storage or repairs.
To improve the commuter experience, the City Corporation will ensure basic facilities including toilets, waiting rooms, and fans at the Mohakhali, Gabtoli, Sayedabad, and Fulbaria terminals. The minister promised a safe, clean, and comfortable environment through the joint efforts of the City Corporation, the police, and transport unions.
The government is also encouraging the transition to electric vehicles as part of its strategy to modernise the transport sector. The Bus Owners’ Association has expressed its agreement to cooperate in the development of these terminals.
The dialogue session was presided over by BSRF President Masudul Haque and moderated by General Secretary Obaidullah Badal.
