Ticket counter-based bus system launching in Dhaka on Thursday

Dhaka is set to launch a new ticket counter-based bus service on February 6 to improve traffic order and passenger safety in the busy capital city. 

Md Saiful Alam, general secretary of Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association, was speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday.

The service will operate around 2,610 pink buses operated by 21 companies, serving routes from Abdullahpur to various destinations within the capital. 

Passengers will only be allowed to board these buses with a pre-purchased ticket, and boarding or alighting at undesignated stops will be prohibited. 

The new system aims to tackle the long-standing issue of contract-based bus operations, creating unequal competition, traffic congestion, and increased accidents. 

Vehicle owners were directed to implement fixed-term contracts with drivers instead of trip-based agreements in December. 

The service will be launched from Abdullahpur at 10:30am on Thursday.

The similar ticket counter operations will be introduced in Mirpur, Gabtoli, and Mohammadpur by this month. 

All buses in Dhaka will operate under this system. So, passengers must to purchase tickets from designated counters and board at specific stops. 

Training is currently underway for bus drivers and assistants on the new ticket system and passenger service protocols.

Among others, Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association President MA Baten, Treasurer ASM Ahmed Khokon, Office Secretary Kazi Md Jobair Masud, and other members of the association were present at the briefing.