The government’s decision to stop long-distance buses from operating out of Fulbaria Inter-District Bus Terminal in Gulistan, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the capital, has so far failed to produce the desired results.
Several days after the move, traffic in the Gulistan-Fulbaria area remains largely unchanged, while passengers are now facing additional time, expense and inconvenience.
Under the new arrangement, passengers have to purchase tickets at Fulbaria but travel to Sayedabad to board their buses, creating particular difficulties for elderly people, women, children and those carrying luggage.
A visit to Fulbaria Bus Terminal, Gulistan and the Golap Shah Mazar intersection on Sunday found that although long-distance buses no longer enter the terminal, most transport operators continue to run their ticket counters there.
Passengers travelling to different districts are still arriving at Fulbaria to buy tickets, only to be informed afterwards that their buses will depart from Sayedabad. As a result, they must arrange additional transport to reach the new departure point.
Passengers say they now have to make two separate trips for a single journey, forcing them to spend extra on rickshaws, CNG-run auto-rickshaws or other transport while also losing valuable time in traffic.
Rafiqul Islam, who was travelling to Barishal, told TIMES of Bangladesh, “I bought my ticket at Fulbaria, but then they told me I had to catch the bus from Sayedabad. Travelling there again with family members, children and luggage means extra transport costs and wasted time.”
Kamal Hossain, a passenger bound for Shariatpur, said, “Previously, I could come to one place and board the bus. Now I have to go to two different places. There is no clear information about where the buses or ticket counters are.”
Long-distance buses have been barred from entering Fulbaria Terminal since Thursday as part of the government’s plan to relocate inter-district bus terminals from central Dhaka to the city’s outskirts.
The government plans to build a permanent inter-district bus terminal at Iquria in Hasnabad, Keraniganj. Until then, buses serving southern and south-western districts are operating from Sayedabad as an interim measure.
Despite the relocation, there has been little visible improvement in traffic conditions.
During a field visit, heavy congestion was observed throughout the day in Fulbaria, Gulistan, the Golap Shah Mazar intersection and Bangabandhu Avenue. Local buses, city services, legunas, rickshaws, battery-powered vehicles and pedestrians continue to crowd the area, now joined by passengers travelling onward to Sayedabad.
Some long-distance buses are also picking up passengers from areas near Fulbaria before heading to Sayedabad, creating new bottlenecks at the Hanif Flyover entrance and in parts of Gulistan.
Although the initiative was intended to reduce congestion, inadequate coordination in passenger services has instead increased public suffering. Ticket counters remain at their previous locations while buses have been shifted elsewhere, leaving many passengers confused. Operators are using loudspeakers to direct passengers to Sayedabad.
Transport sector stakeholders say the authorities should have simultaneously relocated ticket counters, introduced alternative passenger transport and ensured clear public information before implementing the decision.
Without such coordination, they argue, the relocation has neither eased traffic congestion nor reduced passenger hardship.
A counter manager of Golden Line Paribahan said, “We have moved our buses to Sayedabad as instructed. But we have not yet received clear directions about relocating our ticket counters. Passengers still come to Fulbaria out of habit, and we then have to send them to Sayedabad.”
A supervisor of Tungipara Paribahan, requesting anonymity, said, “Passengers are becoming confused because the counters remain open even though the terminal has been closed. A shuttle service between Fulbaria and Sayedabad should have been introduced until the permanent terminal at Iquria becomes operational.”
Asadul Islam, a helper with Narail Express, said, “We have to keep our buses at Dholaipar. Once all the seats are filled through ticket sales, the buses come to pick up passengers. This creates problems not only for passengers but also for us.”
Hossain Molla, who oversees Dola Paribahan’s Fulbaria counter, said, “Bus operations from here have effectively stopped. We have kept the counter open only for passengers’ convenience. Everyone is being instructed to board the buses from Sayedabad.”
