Staff Reporter :
Though there was a plan to launch company-based buses in the capital city by upcoming April, the needed money has not yet allocated to repair about 155 buses of the pilot project.
Sources said that even after receiving the money, it will take at least two months to complete the work.
As a result, uncertainty looms over the launching of the bus in scheduled time.
These issues came up in a meeting with DSCC Mayor Fazle Nur Taposh at Nagar Bhaban on Tuesday. Although the mayor was still optimistic about the success of the project in time.
The 16th meeting of the Bus Route Rationalization Committee was held on Tuesday. This committee is to restore law and order situation in public transport sector and reduce traffic congestion in the capital city.
The first route for company based bus service is planned from Ghatarchar in Keraniganj to Kachpur in Narayanganj. The committee wants to complete the tender work within a month.
According to the plan, company-based buses will be launched in April. About 155 buses of Rajnigandha and Malanchu Paribahan will run on this route.
Meanwhile, Khandaker Enayet Ullah Khan, President of the bus-owners’ association, said each bus would cost Tk 3 lakh and also need at least two months to repair. He questioned how this would be possible within April.
However, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor (DSCC) Sheikh Fazle Nur Taposh told the media that Tk 100 crore has been sought from the Bangladesh Bank.
The central bank governor also gave verbal consent.
The mayor further said that BRTA has proposed to increase the fare on this route to Tk 2.20 per km. But at present the minibus fare in Dhaka is 1 taka 70 paisa per kilometer.
