For generations, Khulna’s residents relied on the city’s “Town Service” buses as an affordable and convenient mode of public transport. Today, however, the once-popular service exists only in memory, leaving the city’s growing population dependent mainly on auto-rickshaws, CNGs, and three-wheelers.
The historic urban bus service began after independence with a fleet of 60 buses, providing low-cost transport for city residents. It gained immense popularity during the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a familiar part of daily life in Khulna.
But by 2017, most of the fleet had become unfit for operation, with around 55 buses no longer roadworthy. The service was eventually shut down, and no new buses were added to replace the ageing fleet. Although several attempts were made to revive the service, it completely stopped operating in 2020.
Since then, residents, especially low-income groups and students, have repeatedly demanded the return of Town Service buses. A short-lived attempt to restart the service in 2022 failed due to competition from easy bikes, Mahindra vehicles, and CNG auto-rickshaws, along with a shortage of passengers.
Last year, renewed hopes emerged when stakeholders met at the Khulna Divisional Commissioner’s office on 16 September to discuss restarting the service. The meeting decided on allocating two BRTC buses and finalising their routes. The initiative was welcomed by civil society members, students, transport workers, and residents.
Former Divisional Commissioner Firoz Sarkar said at the time that he had written to the BRTC chairman regarding the revival of Town Service, and the authority had agreed to provide two buses. However, the plan did not move forward after his transfer.
Transport activists say Khulna urgently needs a proper urban bus system to reduce pressure on three-wheelers and improve road safety. They argue that while auto-rickshaws have expanded across the city, poor driving skills and lack of traffic discipline have contributed to congestion and accidents.
“Launching buses alone will not work unless the service is properly managed,” said Mahbubur Rahman Munna, general secretary of Nirapad Sarak Chai, Khulna city unit. “If buses remain stuck at stops for long periods, passengers will lose interest, and the service will not be sustainable.”
Advocate Md Babul Howlader, member secretary of Khulna Nagorik Samaj, said the city has expanded significantly, but its public transport system has failed to keep pace.
“Khulna is a major port and industrial city, but today it does not have a proper urban transport system with four- or six-wheel vehicles,” he said. “A functional city bus service is now a necessity.”
He added that the city’s current transport needs should be considered while designing the service, including introducing smaller buses on routes where larger vehicles may not be economically viable.
Citizens’ groups believe the revival of Town Service requires coordination among city authorities, transport stakeholders, and elected representatives. For many residents, bringing back the buses is not just about transport, it is about restoring a reliable public service that the city has lost.
