Demand grows for smart school bus service in Ctg

The smart school bus service initiated by the Chattogram District Administration has received a warm response from the students and appreciation from the guardians during the past year.

The service was launched on November 28 last year.

Students said the service, since its launch, has made their life easy while travelling to and from schools.

"Earlier, I had to face hassles as I had to change two vehicles on my way to school from Bahaddarhat to Jamal Khan Intersection," said Aklima Sharmin, a student of Dr Khastagir Government Girls' High School.

"Due to the smart bus service, now I can commute to and from school by smart bus without any hassle," she added.

Echoing the same Rajesh Debnath, a student of Kazem Ali High School, said communication between his home and school became easier after the introducing of the service.

"I do not need to wait for public vehicles now," he said, adding, "After school, I can board busses of the service from Gani Bakery Intersection which is adjacent to my school."

Officials of Chattogram District Administration said the service was launched to ensure safe commuting of students to and from their educational institutes.

The first bus made its first trip on November 28, 2023 with 70 students from 12 educational institutions from the gymnasium ground of MA Aziz Stadium in the port city, they said.

Since January 10 this year, 9 more buses have been added to the service.

The "smart" busses have GPS trackers, GIS technology, digital attendance-keeping services and IP cameras.

Jahirul Islam, a student of Shah Wali Ullah Institute, said the bus service is secured too.

"When I get on the bus, the information goes to my parent's cell phone through SMS, ensuring them my whereabouts."

The success of the service has made guardians urge the district administration officials to increase the number of buses.

"At present, there is no service of the project on the Patenga-Halsihahar route," said Rashna Sharmin, a local in the Halishahar Barapool area, adding, "I would like to request the district administration officials to introduce the bus service on this route."

Contacted, Farida Khanam, deputy commissioner and district magistrate of Chattogram, said they have plans to increase the number of busses.

"Against the backdrop of high demand, we are planning to introduce 10 more buses for different routes. These, hopefully, will hit the roads very soon," she said.

Mentionable, smart school buses are running on two routes at present.

The buses of route number one leave from Bahaddarhat and go to New Market via Baduratala, Muradpur, Chawkbazar, Gani Bakery, Jamalkhan, Cheragi Pahar, Nandankanan and Amtal.

The second route operate between Agrabad and Oxygen via Muradpur, Sholashahar Gate No 2, GEC Intersection, WASA Intersection, Tiger Pass, Dewan Hat and Chowmuhani.

To get the service, a student has to pay Tk 5 for each trip and show the identity card of his respective educational institution.

GPH Ispat has been contributing financial support to this initiative.