Dhaka bus routes cut from 98 to 32: services start today on six routes under new system

The government has taken an initiative to reorganise Dhaka's existing 98 bus routes into 32 integrated routes to restore discipline in the capital's public transport, reduce congestion and improve passenger service. As part of the programme, bus services formally start today, Sunday (1 November), on six of the proposed 32 routes.

The plan is being implemented under the Bus Route Rationalisation project of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA). The remaining routes will be brought under the new system in phases.

Those concerned say competition among buses of multiple companies on the same road, passengers boarding and alighting everywhere, failure to follow designated stoppages and an excess of buses have long increased congestion and chaos in the capital. At the same time, many areas do not have enough buses. The new route structure was prepared considering passenger demand, road capacity and traffic realities to address these problems.

DTCA Executive Director Mohammad Mosiur Rahman said there are currently 98 active bus routes in the capital. The plan is to reorganise them into 32 integrated routes so that the capital's public transport becomes more planned, safe and passenger-friendly.

Under the plan, operating buses through a single company on each route is being considered. Those concerned hope this will reduce competition for passengers, restore discipline in bus movement and improve service quality.

The six routes launching today are: 1. Shib Bari Chowrasta (Gazipur)–Dhakeshwari Temple (Azimpur), via Abdullahpur. 2. Mirpur Zoo–Chulkutia, via Science Lab. 3. Ghatarchar (Mohammadpur)–Demra Staff Quarter, via Shahbagh and Matsya Bhaban. 4. Bosila–Kanchpur Bridge (Chittagong Road), via Jigatala and Science Lab. 5. Ghatarchar–Dhaur Bridge (Abdullahpur), via Mirpur-10. 6. Tongi College Gate–Dhakeshwari Temple (Azimpur), via Abdullahpur.

There is also a plan to launch three circular bus services in the Farmgate-Polashi, Mohammadpur and Uttara areas.

DTCA said the bus route reorganisation initiative was first taken in 2011. A fresh study began in 2019. Although 42 routes were initially proposed, a consensus on 32 routes was reached after discussions with DMP, BRTA, the two city corporations, and bus owner and worker organisations.

To prepare the plan, passenger boarding and alighting data from 18 trips on the 98 active bus routes were collected from 2024 to 2026. Boarding-alighting surveys of more than 10,000 passengers and origin-destination surveys of more than 35,000 passengers were conducted. In addition, 72 hours of continuous traffic counts at 72 locations in the metropolis, an infrastructure review of about 400 kilometres of bus network and drone survey data were analysed to prepare the final plan.

Project Director Dhruba Alam said this is not a plan based on assumptions. The 32 routes were determined on the basis of extensive surveys and data analysis. The goal is to ensure enough buses where passenger demand is high and to reduce unnecessary duplication of routes.

Under the plan, the new 32 routes will create travel opportunities for about 3.7 to 3.8 million passengers every day. Multiple route connections have been kept centred on the Airport, Mirpur-10, Kuril, Gabtoli, Mohakhali, Farmgate, Badda and Jatrabari.