A circular bus service, which will run on Dhanmondi-New Market-Azimpur route, hit the road yesterday with an aim to ease traffic congestion in Dhanmondi and nearby areas.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon inaugurated the bus service near Kalabagan bus stand. 

The service will initially run with some 20 air-conditioned BRTC buses, which will pick up and drop off passengers at 36 points on the route, the mayor said while launching the service.

This initiative is part of a plan of the Bus Route Rationalisation Committee which was formed to bring Dhaka's bus service under discipline, he said.

The buses will ply from Katabon-Nilkhet to New Market-Azimpur via Science Laboratory, Dhaka College, Dhanmondi Road 2, Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi Road 27, Palashi and New Elephant Road.

The lowest fare is Tk 10, from the first stop to the second, while the highest fare is set at Tk 30, the DSCC mayor said.

“This service will not only ensure safety and discipline on the roads of Dhanmondi, but also reduce traffic congestion in the area,” he claimed.

While addressing the inauguration programme, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said, “People have become more aware. Around 97-98 percent bikers now use helmets but discipline is still lacking in the public transport sector.”

Acknowledging their failure in bringing the transport sector under discipline, the DMP commissioner said they are going to take several measures and the results will be apparent within the next 15 days.

He said drivers will have to act responsibly on the road and follow traffic rules; otherwise they have to face punishment.

Urging people to follow traffic rules, he said they will also take action against errant pedestrians.

Mayors of the two Dhaka city corporations hold up pre-paid bus passes. Photo: Collected

FOUR NEW DOUBLE-DECKERS

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) introduced four double-decker BRTC buses on the route stretching from airport to Zero Point in Gulistan via Kuril Biswa Road, Badda, Rampura and Malibagh yesterday to reduce pressure on public transport as well as ensure road safety.

Twenty more BRTC buses would be added within the next two weeks to cut down dependency on private buses, said DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam while launching the service at a programme near the airport.

The DNCC mayor said as registrations of all buses belonging to Jabal-e-Noor and Suprovat were cancelled after the tragic accident on March 19, these BRTC buses will reduce commuting woes of the public.