Mismanagement in bus service
Although bus is the leading mode of public transport in Dhaka city, the condition in which the buses ply the city’s roads is appalling. It has become difficult for the commuters to commute by bus as there are very few designated bus stoppages in the city. The drivers often stop in the middle of the road to pick up or drop off passengers, which is a leading cause of road accidents. Moreover, many of the buses are unlicensed and unfit, and are also run by underage drivers with fake driving licenses. But the authorities concerned seem to be totally oblivious to the situation as they do not take any step to control the mismanagement of the bus services.
Because of the insufficient number of BRTC buses, the private sector has created a monopoly, taking control over the public transport. They raise the bus fare at their own will, without caring for public interest. Many of the bus services charge an extra amount for providing seating service, but pick up passengers from the middle of the road to make an extra profit. If electronic punch tickets could be introduced, it would have saved the passengers a lot of hassle.
The authorities should look into all these problems and do the needful to ensure a better bus service and safety of the passengers.
Zubair Khaled Huq
By e-mail
