At least 1,646 buses in Dhaka city are operating without route permits, while 2,018 buses are illegally plying routes not assigned to them, according to the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).
Although 7,091 buses are officially registered, only 3,000-4,500 are actively operating on 138 routes in the capital, the DTCA revealed during a discussion with the Reporters for Rail and Road (RRR) today.
The Authority also noted that of the active buses, only 3,427 follow their designated routes, while 992 are unfit for operation.
Besides, out of 388 bus routes approved by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), over 250 routes are not serviced by city buses, contributing to traffic chaos.
Dhrubo Alam, deputy transport planner of DTCA, explained that many transport operators abandon approved routes for more profitable ones, often illegally altering bus names and colours to evade detection.
“This overcrowds certain routes, intensifying traffic jams,” he said.
To address these challenges, the DTCA has introduced the “Rapid Pass” smart card system for integrated e-ticketing, Alam said.
Supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), the system aims to streamline fare collection across metro rail, buses, trains, and water transport, he added.
Additionally, DTCA is working on rationalising bus routes by clustering and restructuring them.
“The initial plan includes creating nine clusters, managing 22 companies, and reorganising 42 routes with designated bus stops and bays to improve transport efficiency,” said the transport planner.
