City buses in Dhaka are failing to ensure the safety and comfort of women, children, people with disabilities and older passengers, with widespread violations of reserved-seat rules, a shortage of helpers and unsafe boarding and alighting practices.
The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) and the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) made the observations after inspecting more than 50 buses operating on different routes across the capital in September.
The findings were disclosed in a joint press release issued by the two organisations on Sunday.
The inspection found that none of the buses complied with government directives requiring nine seats to be reserved for women, children, people with disabilities, freedom fighters and older passengers.
Although some buses displayed notices about the reserved-seat requirements, most did not, according to the findings.
During inspections of crowded local buses, observers found men occupying reserved seats while women, children, people with disabilities and older passengers were often forced to stand, causing considerable discomfort and hardship.
The inspection also found that around 80 per cent of the buses had no helpers to assist with passenger management and other operational duties.
According to the findings, drivers often rent buses from owners under daily contractual arrangements and hire conductors to operate the services.
At the end of each day, they pay the agreed rental amount to the owners and share the remaining earnings.
To reduce operating costs, drivers and conductors avoid hiring helpers, the report noted.
The findings also highlighted unsafe practices involving bus stops and passenger movement.
Conductors frequently allow buses to stop at both designated stops and unauthorised locations along roads, forcing passengers to board and alight in a hurry.
Such practices result in minor accidents almost daily, according to the findings.
Four recommendations
To improve passenger safety and ensure compliance with transport regulations, the NCPSRR and SCRF made four recommendations.
They called for ensuring nine reserved seats on every city bus in accordance with government directives, appointing a helper on each bus in addition to the driver and conductor, ending daily contractual arrangements under which buses are rented to drivers or conductors and strictly preventing buses from stopping between designated stops established by city corporations.
The organisations also urged the authorities to prohibit passengers from boarding or alighting at unauthorised locations.
NCPSRR General Secretary Ashis Kumar Dey said local buses in Dhaka were operating with little regard for rules and regulations.
He said bus owners appeared more concerned about maximising profits than providing quality passenger services.
Calling for immediate action, he urged the authorities to deploy mobile courts to curb irregularities and enforce transport regulations.
SCRF General Secretary Lion Mohd Jahangir Alam described the findings as a reflection of the longstanding disorder in Dhaka’s public transport system.
“We are trying to bring these problems to the government’s attention in a way that leaves no room for the authorities to overlook the situation,” he said.
“As part of this ongoing effort, we have undertaken this month-long monitoring initiative. Our efforts will continue throughout the year,” he added.
