Creating an efficient circular bus service system

The introduction of circular bus service at Dhanmondi area in Dhaka is a welcome move no doubt.  Though the concept of circular bus service is simple, it is really difficult to operate such service especially in an unplanned or faulty-planned and chaotic city like Dhaka. The circular buses usually circle a centre point by touching several peripheral points where passengers get on and get down. If orbiting a central point is not possible, then semi-circular buses may be run easily. And it is probably more feasible in Dhaka than a standard circular bus service.

Nevertheless, the circular bus service on Dhanmondi-New Market-Azimpur route is expected to replace non-motorised vehicles and reduce motorised vehicles on the roads of these areas. With 20 air-conditioned (AC) buses of the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), passengers will be able to board on and get down at 36 points on the route paying minimum fair of Tk10 and maximum Tk 30.  It is also likely to ease traffic congestion and increase mobility of people. Moreover, it may be an effective way to contain pressure on long-route buses now used by many to complete their short-route journey. 

In fact, the new service is a test case of the government's move to rationalise over 200 bus routes in Dhaka. Reducing or rationalising routes is a long-term task and it has to be completed phase by phase. It is already agreed by different quarters that the exiting 200-plus bus routes, many of those overlap each other, need to be replaced by five to eight main routes.  They also called for franchising the bus companies on these routes. It means all existing bus companies operating on a particular route with valid permit will run under a few major holding companies.

While rationalising the bus routes get priority to discipline the public transport and turn the roads safe, replacing the existing ramshackle buses by commuter-friendly buses is no less important. It is a time-consuming process but needs a planned start.  Some low-floor BRTC buses can be easily introduced on different short-routes within a short span of time.

The vested interest groups of rent seekers of the public transport sector are, however, the biggest barrier to this. Overcoming the barrier needs time and strong political initiative. As an interim arrangement, introduction of semi-circular or circular bus service on different short routes is the right move.

Initially, the service may face some hiccups and passengers need to cooperate with patience to overcome the problems.  Buses also have to strictly pick up and drop off passengers at bus stops only. Commuters' feedbacks need to be reviewed carefully after a week or two. The service can be extended and continued on the basis of feedback and address other operational difficulties faced on roads. Lack of discipline in the operation of circular buses will jeopardise any long-term plan to create safe and efficient bus service in Dhaka.

The owners and workers of public-service buses will try to make the service ineffective in different ways. That's why the operator has to tackle the situation carefully. As the two city mayors and the DMP chief are directly involved with the process, commuters may hope that they will do everything to make the programme a success and bring about a positive change in the public transportation in the capital.