The government plans to introduce franchise-based bus services on two Dhaka routes within seven working days, finalise franchises for 32 routes within two months and fully implement the system within six months.
The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on Thursday.
The prime minister directed the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and transport owners to launch company-based bus operations on two routes within the next seven working days.
The Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and bus owners' association have been tasked with implementing the route rationalisation plan.
Under the proposed system, a single designated company will operate on each route and be responsible for vehicle fitness, discipline and compliance with the law. The plan also includes counter-based services, e-ticketing and GPS tracking.
DTCA Executive Director and Secretary Mohammad Mashiur Rahman told the media 98 of Dhaka's 418 approved bus routes are currently operational, with around 7,500 buses run by 66 companies.
The DTCA has proposed reorganising the routes into 32, around 70% of which correspond to existing routes.
According to the authority, multiple operators on short and overlapping routes have created unhealthy competition, while unfit buses have contributed to road accidents and congestion.
The plan was developed based on surveys covering the boarding and alighting points of more than 10,000 passengers, the origins and destinations of over 35,000 passengers, vehicle counts at 52 locations over 72 hours, and drone footage covering around 400km of the network.
Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said a meeting with bus owners on September 28 reached an agreement on company-based operations, with operators responsible for ensuring vehicle fitness and compliance with the law.
Bus owners have been given two months to complete necessary repairs, bodywork and repainting. Buses in dilapidated condition that fail to meet the deadline may be taken off the road.
The DTCA and DMP must submit lists of bus stops and the improvements required to the two city corporations within seven working days. The city corporations will then have three months to complete the upgrades.
Under the plan, buses will be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers only at designated stops.
The meeting also decided to assess circular bus routes proposed by the DMP.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is purchasing electric buses, with eight routes proposed for their initial operation. The DTCA will select the routes in coordination with the BRTC and the bus owners' association.
The meeting also discussed around 36,000 vehicles seized in various cases. As storage space is insufficient and abandoned vehicles are losing value, the authorities will amend relevant laws to expedite their disposal.
The prime minister's principal secretary, the DMP commissioner and the DMP additional commissioner (traffic) have been assigned responsibility for the matter.