The government in a bid to bring down traffic congestion has started circular bus service in the Dhanmondi-Science Lab-New Market and Azimpur route.
Dhaka South Mayor Mohammad Syed Khokon inaugurated the bus service from Kalabagan bus stand on Wednesday (Mar 27).
Depending on the distance the lowest fair has been set at Tk 10 and the highest fair has been set at Tk 30.
The bus will stop on 36 designated points where the passengers have to purchase tickets from a ticket counter.
The buses are expected to be available on either side of the road every five to ten minutes.
“We hope that this will help reduce traffic in the area,” the mayor said and added that in addition to improved services, there will be order on the roads.
He added that the government wants to ensure the passengers’ safety and said that they will try to keep the fare as low as possible.
Dhaka North Mayor Atiqul Islam who was also present at the inauguration said, “Everyone will work together to bring order in the roads. It will soon be visible.”
This service, being operated under Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), is part of a plan of the Bus Route Rationalisation committee, which was formed to bring city bus service under discipline.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) proposed the circular bus service to the committee saying that it will reduce the three-wheelers and private cars on the Dhanmondi-New Market-Azimpur route.
“We want to bring back order on the streets within 15 days,” said DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia.
“Circular bus services have been started in two routes. We’ll operate two more in Uttara and Motijheel,” he added.