Govt launches AC bus service on one route of green cluster today

The government is set to launch air conditioned (AC) bus service on one route of the green cluster today (Tuesday) again without adequate preparation due to non-coordination from all bus operators, deviating from its earlier plan to launch buses in all eight routes under the cluster.

Rail and Road Transport Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan is likely to inaugurate the bus service at Snagsad Bhaban gate -1 opposite Asad Gate in the morning, which will run from Chashara of Narayanganj to Hemayetpur with total 35 AC buses of Borak Paribahan.

However, the bus service earlier known as Dhaka Nagar Paribahan will be operated on route 21 in a revised way taking a part of one route under the red cluster, sources said. But no green colour will be dented on the bus for the day of inauguration due to inability to make buses ready.

Sources said only green stickers will be pasted on the buses.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) finalised a fare chart to operate the AC buses with first two kilometres at Tk 20 and Tk 5.5 for next per kilometre, which was not approved as of filing this report.

The DTCA is set to sign an agreement with Borak Paribahan and Dhaka Bus Transport Owners Association to operate the buses as challenges remain in smooth operation due to inability to remove buses of at least 15 different companies.

The government's initiative to revive the Dhaka Nagar Paribahan on entire eight routes under the green cluster on February 25 came from a meeting held on December 19 with the Rail and Road Transport Adviser in the chair.

But sources said the DTCA has to revise the plan by opening only route- 21 due to usual non-cooperation from the bus operators and other stakeholders to run buses under the bus route franchise (BRF) which is the concept of one route-one company.

They said the route 21 has been occupied by more than 100 buses operated by 15 companies which would not be withdrawn before the launching of the green route.

None of the route operators showed interest in forming one company.

When asked about this, DTCA Executive Director Neelima Akter said they have to start with the bus company which showed interest and agreed to meet some requirements of the BRF concept.

"It is very difficult to convince all bus operators in one route forming a company," she told the FE at her office, adding that gradually other operators have to join the government initiative as there is no other option to bring discipline in the bus transport.

Earlier under the same banner, two different transport companies operated around 20 buses and above in association with BRTC buses on routes 22 and 26 but those were totally stopped in 2023 due to non-cooperation from the traffic police and other bus operators.

Some 50 Nagar Paribahan buses said to be operated Ghatarchar to Demra Staff Quarter under route 22 and Ghatarchar to Kadamtali under route 26.

The BRF was recommended option to operate city bus service in the city by rationalising the nearly 350 routes. After several studies carried out since 2013-14, the DTCA has finalised 42 routes under nine clusters which were supposed to be run with different colours through forming 22 bus companies.

The cluster colours are Pink, Blue, Red, Orange, Green, Purple, North, North-West, and South.

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