Unauthorised bus depots worsen Dhaka traffic clog

About 50 unauthorised bus depots have mushroomed in different parts of the capital, aggravating the worsening traffic clog in the city. Barring a few Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) buses, almost all inter-city buses dock at these depots at night. During the day, these spots function as bus repairing and resting places, eating up part of the roads. According to the data of the two city corporations, there are four BRTC bus depots, but none for private buses. In the absence of designated bus depots, these illegal bus depots have come up at Malibagh, Maniknagar Biswa Road, Golapbagh Biswa Road, Fakirapool, Kallyanpur, Motijheel, Kamalapur, Shymoli, Rupnagar, Fulbaria, Joykali Mandir, Fakirapool, Maniknagar and Arambagh Road among other places.

The Independent found that these depots not only contribute to traffic jams, but are also dens of many crimes like extortion and drug trade. Sources alleged that political leaders and activists, policemen and some influential people directly and indirectly operate these illegal bus depots.

The government authorities responsible for looking after the operations of buses have conducted several drives to remove the vehicles from these undesignated bus depots, but the situation goes back to square one after some time. Mamun-Ur-Rasid, a roadside furniture trader at Maniknagar Biswa Road, said around 100 bus counters of different bus companies have been set up within a 500-metre stretch from Sayedabad Janopad to Maniknagar Biswa Road. “About 30 to 40 buses of each transport company are usually parked in front of their counters for passengers from morning till midnight,” he added.

Beside buses, private cars and other vehicles are also parked on the roads in front of government offices, schools, colleges, shopping malls and hospitals in the capital.

Former mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Annisul Huq, took a stand against illegal parking. But after his death, the situation returned to what it was earlier.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Asaduzzaman Miah said several times that the police never allow parking on the streets and it is the duty of traffic police to take action against anyone doing so.

Officials of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, which is responsible for forming and coordinating the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (2015–2035), found that these illegal bus depots in the city are causing huge traffic tailbacks in urbanised areas with limited terminal capacities.

According to the Revised

Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP), the city has too many private bus operators who run their vehicles without proper timetables, fixed routes and bus stops.

Dr Sarwar Jahan, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning Department of BUET told The Independent that Dhaka does not have proper depot to keep its public buses.

“Public buses are one of the major lifelines of any metropolitan cities. Unfortunately in Dhaka, the public buses are being operated in a very abrupt manner by some private operators,” said Dr Sarwar.

He said that most of the private bus companies keep their buses docked on the road at night.

"This not only eats up important road spaces, but also creates situation for a possible traffic gridlock,” he said.

Prof Sarwar said the government should create proper bus depots and lease those to the private operators. “This will also open up a revenue channels for the government.”

A Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority official disclosed, on condition of anonymity, that it was not logical to pressurise transport owners with two or three buses to set up terminals on their own. “The government should take step in this regard,” he added.

Government studies have shown that bus stops in Dhaka can be usually identified by ticket booths that are mostly located on footpaths and sometimes even on road and lanes. Most of the private buses operate from roadsides and even carry repair and maintenance activities on the roads, the studies said.

According to the Dhaka Bus Network and Regulatory Reform Implementation Study and Design Work Study, the total number of bus trips is more than 70 lakh in the Dhaka metropolitan area on an average working day, while mobility within DMA represents 89 per cent of the total mobility by buses.

Talking to The Independent, Mustafizur Rahman, chief executive officer (CEO) of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), admitted that there are no designated bus depots for private bus operators. “BRTC buses are parked inside the depots, but private buses are mostly kept on roadsides during the night,” he said.

Rahman, however, said that the two city corporations have made a plan to construct 22 bus depots across the city. “We have already held meetings with the bus owners, Traffic Division of the DMP and other stakeholders. The detailed plan of the 22 bus depots will be revealed soon,” he added.

Talking to The Independent, Mir Rezaul Alam, additional commissioner (traffic) of the DMP, said they are aware of the situation that most of the private bus operators dock their buses on roads instead of any depots.

“They are supposed to keep their buses in depot but most of them don't abide by that practice. Lands are very expensive in Dhaka and the bus owners don't want to spend money for buying lands for building depots.”

When asked whether DMP slaps any fine on the bus owners for parking their buses on public spaces, he said, “No, There are limitations in doing so.”

 

Unauthorised bus depots worsen Dhaka traffic clog

About 50 unauthorised bus depots have mushroomed in different parts of the capital, aggravating the worsening traffic clog in the city. Barring a few Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) buses, almost all inter-city buses dock at these depots at night. During the day, these spots function as bus repairing and resting places, eating up part of the roads. According to the data of the two city corporations, there are four BRTC bus depots, but none for private buses. In the absence of designated bus depots, these illegal bus depots have come up at Malibagh, Maniknagar Biswa Road, Golapbagh Biswa Road, Fakirapool, Kallyanpur, Motijheel, Kamalapur, Shymoli, Rupnagar, Fulbaria, Joykali Mandir, Fakirapool, Maniknagar and Arambagh Road among other places. The Independent found that these depots not only contribute to traffic jams, but are also dens of many crimes like extortion and drug trade. Sources alleged that political leaders and activists, policemen and some influential people directly and indirectly operate these illegal bus depots. The government authorities responsible for looking after the operations of buses have conducted several drives to remove the vehicles from these undesignated bus depots, but the situation goes back to square one after some time. Mamun-Ur-Rasid, a roadside furniture trader at Maniknagar Biswa Road, said around 100 bus counters of different bus companies have been set up within a 500-metre stretch from Sayedabad Janopad to Maniknagar Biswa Road. About 30 to 40 buses of each transport company are usually parked in front of their counters for passengers from morning till midnight, he added. Beside buses, private cars and other vehicles are also parked on the roads in front of government offices, schools, colleges, shopping malls and hospitals in the capital. Former mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Annisul Huq, took a stand against illegal parking. But after his death, the situation returned to what it was earlier. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Asaduzzaman Miah said several times that the police never allow parking on the streets and it is the duty of traffic police to take action against anyone doing so. Officials of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, which is responsible for forming and coordinating the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (20152035), found that these illegal bus depots in the city are causing huge traffic tailbacks in urbanised areas with limited terminal capacities. According to the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP), the city has too many private bus operators who run their vehicles without proper timetables, fixed routes and bus stops. Dr Sarwar Jahan, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning Department of BUET told The Independent that Dhaka does not have proper depot to keep its public buses. Public buses are one of the major lifelines of any metropolitan cities. Unfortunately in Dhaka, the public buses are being operated in a very abrupt manner by some private operators, said Dr Sarwar. He said that most of the private bus companies keep their buses docked on the road at night. This not only eats up important road spaces, but also creates situation for a possible traffic gridlock, he said. Prof Sarwar said the government should create proper bus depots and lease those to the private operators. This will also open up a revenue channels for the government. A Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority official disclosed, on condition of anonymity, that it was not logical to pressurise transport owners with two or three buses to set up terminals on their own. The government should take step in this regard, he added. Government studies have shown that bus stops in Dhaka can be usually identified by ticket booths that are mostly located on footpaths and sometimes even on road and lanes. Most of the private buses operate from roadsides and even carry repair and maintenance activities on the roads, the studies said. According to the Dhaka Bus Network and Regulatory Reform Implementation Study and Design Work Study, the total number of bus trips is more than 70 lakh in the Dhaka metropolitan area on an average working day, while mobility within DMA represents 89 per cent of the total mobility by buses. Talking to The Independent, Mustafizur Rahman, chief executive officer (CEO) of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), admitted that there are no designated bus depots for private bus operators. BRTC buses are parked inside the depots, but private buses are mostly kept on roadsides during the night, he said. Rahman, however, said that the two city corporations have made a plan to construct 22 bus depots across the city. We have already held meetings with the bus owners, Traffic Division of the DMP and other stakeholders. The detailed plan of the 22 bus depots will be revealed soon, he added. Talking to The Independent, Mir Rezaul Alam, additional commissioner (traffic) of the DMP, said they are aware of the situation that most of the private bus operators dock their buses on roads instead of any depots. They are supposed to keep their buses in depot but most of them dont abide by that practice. Lands are very expensive in Dhaka and the bus owners dont want to spend money for buying lands for building depots. When asked whether DMP slaps any fine on the bus owners for parking their buses on public spaces, he said, No, There are limitations in doing so.