Nagar Paribahan bus: mixed reactions mark the first day of service
Mon 27 Dec 2021 00:00 Last update on: Mon. 27 Dec. 2021 04:56 AM
Queued passengers board a Dhaka Nagar Paribahan bus from Mohammadpur bus station on the first day of its operations. The ticketing process is digitized, which can be purchased on site and online as well. Photo: Rashed Shumon
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Queued passengers board a Dhaka Nagar Paribahan bus from Mohammadpur bus station on the first day of its operations. The ticketing process is digitized, which can be purchased on site and online as well. Photo: Rashed Shumon
The first day of the highly anticipated Nagar Paribahan bus service – from Ghatarchar to Kanchpur under one authority was greeted with mixed reactions yesterday.
On the one hand, passengers were happy with how the buses didn’t waste time boarding, but on the other hand, some of them expressed frustration that they weren’t allowed to get off vehicles at their preferred locations.
For all the latest news, follow the Daily Star’s Google News channel. With a fleet of 50 buses, including 30 double-decker from the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), the new Nagar Paribahan bus service began plying the streets of the capital yesterday, hoping to discipline the transportation system of the city.
Photo: Rashed Shumon
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Photo: Rashed Shumon
The Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader, virtually attended the inauguration program, while the Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, chaired the session, in the presence of the Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation. , Md Atiqul Islam.
After the inauguration, the mayors bought tickets and boarded a bus, along with other guests, from Mohammadpur and got off at the Shankar bus stop.
This correspondent also boarded one of the buses on a trip from Mohammadpur to Motijheel to experience the service and assess the reaction of passengers.
One of the first things he noticed was that none of the staff was wearing the green uniform mandated for the service. The promise to provide the driver’s personal data in the back of the driver’s seat was also lacking.
“We will have our dress in a few days,” said bus driver Md Swapan.
Speaking from his own experience, Swapan said the first day’s problems included asking passengers to get off at a location of their choosing, rather than just at stops, as directed.
Meanwhile, passengers spoke of their rather favorable experience. “It’s good that the buses don’t stay in one place for long to pick up passengers and don’t compete with other buses,” said Tanbin Ahmed Anik, a university student. “I hope the authorities will make the effort to maintain the quality of service.”
But another passenger, Azizur Rahman, expressed his anger that he was not allowed to get off at his preferred location, saying authorities should leave room for it or people may have to walk long after getting off at stops. .
He also suggested that authorities repaint the buses as they are now using old buses.
Md Ali, a hired driver for the service, said passengers will be able to file complaints using the service’s helplines, which will be available on buses in a few days.
QUADER, MAYORS PROMISE QUALITY SERVICE
Addressing the program, DSCC Mayor Taposh said that while the early days of the service may see some issues, they will eventually be eliminated.
He also said they started with 50 buses on a pilot basis and would double the number within two months.
The service will be managed by dividing the capital into nine clusters and operating all buses under six separate companies by 2023.
DNCC Mayor Atiqul said more than 9,000 buses currently operate on the city’s 291 routes, creating unhealthy competition for passengers, chaos on the streets and increasing the risk of accidents. He said they hope
solve all these problems with the new system.
Speaking as the main guest, Quader said the discipline of the capital’s transportation system was in line with the government’s visions.
The initiative “Rationalization of Bus Lines and Operation of Company-Based Bus Services in Dhaka†was first launched by the late Mayor Annisul Huq. However, the project ran out of steam after his death in late 2017.
After numerous delays, due in part to the pandemic, the service finally started yesterday.