Fix Dhaka’s public transport chaos

Dhaka’s chaotic public transport service is a major headache for the city-dwellers. The city is notorious for its never-ending gridlock and critical lack of road safety. Rapid population growth and urbanisation, extreme inequality, inadequate road space, unplanned roads and an archaic traffic management system are among the reasons behind this problem. Usually, buses and minibuses are the preferred modes of travel for the majority of residents. In the absence of better alternatives, they often have to endure long delays, overcrowding and sometimes lengthy walks to be able to get into a bus. All these translate into tremendous sufferings and loss of health and money on a daily basis.  

We need to remember that the basic prerequisite for a good economy is the mobility of the people with access to an efficient public transport system. Dhaka has seen massive unplanned growth over the years, and if the city is to survive its fall-out with any degree of success, the city-planners must fix its transport system first, by putting in place a properly planned and managed public transport network. The government and public transport companies should come forward to help build this network.