Revamp BRTA, remove its chair: PWAB

The Passengers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB) has demanded the resignation of the chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) for his total failure to stabilise the transport sector.

The association has also demanded the dissolution of the transport regulatory body if it continues to fail to work in the interest of general passengers.

To restore order, reduce environmental pollution, prevent road accidents and curb passenger harassment, the interim government earlier took stringent measures to phase out 20-year-old dilapidated buses from the city's streets.

However, the PWAB placed the demand at a press conference styled 'Demanding the resolution of passenger sufferings amid the citywide public transport crisis' at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Monday.

At the event, PWAB secretary general Mohammad Mozammel Haque Chowdhury accused transport operators of rebranding unfit, outdated buses overnight by painting them pink.

This move, intended to circumvent the government's directive, has exacerbated the city's transport crisis, he said, lambasting the transporters.

On December 19, the government in consultation with stakeholders, including the BRTA, police and transport owners, ordered the removal of all buses older than 20 years by May 2025.

Additionally, the authorities planned to introduce a modern, colour-coded bus service across nine routes starting on February 25.

Meanwhile, at a February 04 briefing, Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association leaders announced that vehicles of 21 companies here would start running on a counter-based system from February 06.

However, before making this decision, they had not informed the PWAB in line with the tradition of previous leadership.

Although it is mandatory to obtain approval from Dhaka Metro RTC for launching any improved public transport service here, the owners' body did not follow this procedure in this case, according to the PWAB.

"Bus owners don't seek prior approval from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) for changing colour of 2,610 buses, as no list of these buses is available with the BRTA or the traffic police," it claims.

According to observations by the PWAB, the majority of these buses and minibuses are unfit, dilapidated and unclean, and they operate in unhygienic conditions, often filled with garbage.

Many buses lack rear lights, indicators and mirrors, while seats are broken, dirty and infested with pests. Some buses have sticky seats, and cleanliness is virtually non-existent.

Furthermore, there have been allegations of overcharging on certain routes.

However, in total disregard for the directive, transport operators have repainted unfit buses pink and continued to operate them, said Mr Haque.

These buses, many of which are 20-40 years old, lack basic fitness certifications and are in a pitiable condition. Passengers have reported discomfort and inconvenience due to this poor condition.

Even many buses lack functional lights, indicators and mirrors, while seats are broken, dirty and infested with cockroaches.

Overcrowding and overcharging have further compounded the problem, leaving commuters, especially office-goers, in utter distress, says the PWAB.

The welfare association has criticised the BRTA, traffic police and the road transport ministry for their inaction in addressing the crisis.

Despite repeated appeals, no effective measures have been taken to resolve the situation.

According to the PWAB, the rebranding of buses has also sparked discontent among bus drivers and owners.

Many drivers, who are paid on a trip basis, have growing frustration over reduced wages, while bus owners are struggling to receive their dues from transport associations.

This has led to a partial halt in services, further aggravating the crisis.

Adding to the chaos, CNG auto-rickshaw drivers recently staged road blockades across the city, protesting against the BRTA's failure to regulate fare hikes.

The PWAB, therefore, demanded the BRTA chairman's resignation, accusing the organisation of failing to protect commuters from exploitative practices by auto-rickshaw drivers.

It has called for a complete overhaul of Dhaka's public transport system, proposing to replace outdated buses with 5,000 modern, high-quality buses under a public-private partnership model.

Additionally, the PWAB recommend implementing a route rationalisation system to ensure efficient and organised bus operations across the city.

As Dhaka's transport crisis deepens, the PWAB secretary says, commuters continue to endure immense hardships.

PWAB vice-presidents Muhammad Arif and Tawhidul Hoque Liton, joint secretary general Monirul Islam, and publicity secretary Mahmudul Hasan Russel, among others, were also present.

tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com