BRTC's rundown buses

An investigative report in this paper on Monday made a shocking revelation of the BRTC's poor maintenance of its relatively new fleet of buses. So negligent has the public sector transport corporation been about the 428 buses imported from India three years ago, that these look at least ten years old. Most of them are dented and scarred. The photograph of buses waiting for repairs at Kalyanpur depot speaks volumes about their dilapidated state.

Imported at a high cost of Tk. 266 crore, these were to last for 12 years without any major repair, provided routine maintenance was ensured. Now it is anybody's guess how long they will stick out.

It is not merely the wretched look that is so tormenting. Even the basic amenities are missing so the passengers do not get the service they pay for. Where a public sector corporation should lead the way in terms of service, it is failing in its duty because of corruption and mismanagement.

It is reported that BRTC officials, when facing fund shortage, ask the operational staff to increase the number of trips. This increases the wear and tear of the vehicles. Also it induces reckless driving. Such injurious practices need to be discarded forthwith.

We think that by adding to our transport fleet all our job is done. Actually, the hard part of the job begins after the vehicles arrive. The operational and maintenance manuals need to be followed with adequate provisions kept for the purpose. These important aspects should not be lost on the BRTC management; more precisely the transport ministry.