BRTC bus service launched on unfinished BRT lane
The route stretches from Shibbari BRT terminal in Gazipur to the Airport, spanning 20.5 kilometres, and extends a further 22 kilometres from the airport to Gulistan.
Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has launched its services with 10 air-conditioned (AC) buses on the incomplete Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line despite ongoing construction and unresolved issues.
The service was inaugurated by Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan at the BRT project's bus depot in Gazipur's Shibbari today morning.
Acknowledging the challenges, Fouzul told reporters, "The project has not been completed within the stipulated time. We have always known it to be a problematic project. Despite several deadline extensions, it remains incomplete.
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"This project has not yet benefited the people. To address this, we have started a trial service with 10 BRTC buses on the BRT lane. Any problems identified during the trial will be resolved gradually."
Md Moniruzzaman, managing director of Dhaka BRT Company, said, "The lane is not yet ready, but BRTC will operate buses there on a small scale. All revenue from the operation will go to BRTC, and we have no involvement in it. BRTC will also decide the number of buses and their schedules.
"The project is 97-98% complete."
The ECNEC approved the BRT project in 2012 as part of the Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project. Originally set for completion by December 2016, the project has faced multiple delays and is now expected to finish by June 2025.
The project's cost has increased to Tk4,268.3 crore due to several revisions. The delays have caused significant hardship for people along the route for years.
For now, 10 AC buses will operate under BRTC along the 42.5km BRT lane.
The route covers 20.5km from Shibbari to the Airport and an additional 22km from the Airport to Gulistan. The fare between Shibbari and the Airport is set at Tk70, while the journey from Shibbari to Gulistan will cost Tk140.
Plan for 10 new foot-over bridges
When asked how thousands of workers from garment factories on both sides of the highway will cross, Adviser Fouzul said that because the contracting company is reluctant to continue the work, the ministry will oversee the construction of 10 new foot-over bridges from the airport to Chandna intersection.
He also expressed hope that in the future, BRT buses and trains on the Joydebpur-Dhaka route will run on electric lines, like in Chittagong.
Fouzul mentioned that buses will now travel from Shibbari to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport via the BRT lane. Afterwards, the buses will exit at Farmgate via the elevated expressway and continue to Gulistan, like other buses.
He added that in addition to BRTC buses, private vehicles such as cars and microbuses will now be able to use the BRT lane. This will allow people from Gazipur to travel from their homes to Dhaka for work.
Meanwhile, Md Ibrahim, the counterman at Shibbari Station, told TBS, "Buses are not full. Buses are running every 40 minutes, and passengers don't want to wait that long. They usually board 10-15 minutes before departure. Out of 50 seats, only about 35 are filled. Today is the first day, so hopefully, the number of passengers will increase over time."
The authorities said the number of buses will be increased based on passenger demand and the full readiness of stations along the route.
The adviser said that a tender has already been issued to import special buses for the BRT lane, which will allow more passengers to travel.
Procurement delays for additional buses
The BRT company has still not finalised the procurement of 137 air-conditioned buses for the BRT lane in over two years, despite issuing two tenders.
The first tender, issued on 14 January 2023, was cancelled by the government due to allegations of collusion between two Chinese bidders—Higer Bus Company and Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Company—who were accused of submitting false statements, concealing conflicts of interest, and ignoring show-cause notices.
A new tender was issued in April 2024, with a deadline of 10 June 2024, but only two companies submitted proposals.
The BRT Company's board is now being more cautious, carefully reviewing the bids. As a result, no work order has been issued yet.
Dhaka BRT Company Managing Director Moniruzzaman said, "The board has not yet given final approval for the purchase. Once approved, there are procedures to follow. After that, it will take at least four months to deliver the minimum 50 buses."
