80 buses hit city streets today

Eighty single-decker buses, 25 of them air-conditioned (AC), hit city roads this morning in a bid to ease the acute transport crisis.
Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) imported the buses from South Korea, each costing Tk 70 lakh, while the AC buses cost Tk 90 lakh each.
Compared to the 275 buses imported from China last year which cost Tk 33 lakh each, these buses are comparatively better in terms of quality and comfort, said Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain while inaugurating the new buses yesterday.
By the end of August, 165 more buses will be arriving from Korea, he said at the BRTC training centre in Gazipur.
The government plans to import a total of 1,050 buses of which 450 will be brought from India, to meet the rising demand for transport in the capital and its vicinity, he said.
Of them, 300 are double-deckers, 100 are single-deckers and 50 are articulated buses, popularly known as 'bendy buses', BRTC officials said.
The minister said the minimum fare will be Tk 5 as opposed to Tk 7 for privately-owned buses.
“The new fare which was set after consulting with the owners will be strictly implemented,” he said.
Terming BRTC as a public organisation, he sought everyone's cooperation to ensure smooth operation of the buses.
“Stern actions will be taken against those who won't abide by the rules”, he added.
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan said mutual understanding between BRTC and private owners has shown further improvement.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Ayubur Rahman Khan, BRTC Chairman MM Iqbal, Communications Secretary Mozammel Huq Khan, South Korean Ambassador to Dhaka Taiyoung Cho and Secretary General of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Samity Enayetullah were present among others at the inauguration.