Six years later, Dhaka's bus reforms remain stalled due to political resistance and influential interests

"Six years after a committee was established to organize Dhaka's chaotic bus system, commuters have yet to see any substantial improvements.

Charged with consolidating bus ownership and simplifying routes, the committee has made little progress, failing to establish a single operating company or introduce full services on any of the proposed 22 routes within nine designated clusters.

While experimental bus services were launched on four routes and guidelines for forming bus companies were set, progress has largely stalled. Insiders blame this stagnation on resistance from influential bus owners, backed by political figures from the previous Awami League government, which hindered the committee’s initiatives.

Since the recent government transition, the committee now has new leadership but has met only once.

Without effective action, Dhaka continues to grapple with issues like traffic congestion, frequent road accidents due to reckless bus racing, and general road safety concerns. In one tragic incident on October 9, two sisters lost their lives on Progati Sarani after a passenger race between two buses operated by Akash Paribahan, highlighting the dangers of unregulated competition among buses owned by multiple parties within a single company.

Formed on September 9, 2018, with the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayor as its convener, the committee managed to launch bus services on three routes. However, limited operations hindered its effectiveness. 

Transport expert and committee member SM Salehuddin attributed the delays to missteps by former DSCC and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayors Sayeed Khokon, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, and Atiqul Islam. "The mayors deviated from the original plans, inviting various bus owners to operate new routes instead of approved operators, and failed to secure agreed-upon loans," he said.

The committee’s new leadership, which includes fresh figures from the administration and bus operators, brings a renewed sense of hope. Salehuddin expressed optimism that this team may advance the reform effort.

Adil Mohammed Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, emphasized the need to prioritize bus route reform under the interim government. "The previous administration focused on metro rail and expressways, overlooking buses—the primary mode of transport. Despite buses being integral to our strategic transport plan, they remain under the control of powerful bus owners," he said, stressing the urgency of the reforms.

Attempts to reach former mayors Sayeed Khokon, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, and Atiqul Islam for comment were unsuccessful."