Bus services across Dhaka have been severely disrupted as multiple transport operators suspended operations, citing concerns over the newly introduced counter-based ticketing system. The disruption has affected numerous routes, leaving thousands of commuters stranded across the capital.
On Wednesday morning, long queues of frustrated passengers were seen waiting for transport at major bus stands, including Kuril, Khilkhet, the airport area, Shewra, and Banani.
According to the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association, drivers from operators such as Turag, Anabil, and Airport Paribahan have refused to run their buses under the new system, leading to the ongoing crisis. Authorities are in discussions with them, and an improvement is expected in the coming days.
Commuters Express Frustration
Stranded passengers shared their struggles with the transport crisis.
Rashedul Alam, a resident of Khilkhet Namapara, said, “No Rida, Anabil, or Turag buses are running, leaving hundreds of people stuck.”
“Thousands of commuters traveling via Badda-Rampura towards Jatrabari and Shanir Akhra are suffering. There is an AC counter service called Iqbal, but it doesn’t open before 10 a.m. In Bangladesh, it’s too easy to hold ordinary people hostage,” he added.
Enam Ahmed, a resident of Kuril Bishwa Road, faced similar difficulties.
“I take my daughter to school in Uttara by CNG autorickshaw and usually return by bus. But today, I couldn’t find a single bus and had to take a motorcycle ride instead. On my way back, I saw massive crowds waiting at the airport, Khilkhet, and Kuril Bishwa Road bus stands. This problem has been ongoing for days.”
Mahbubur Rahman, a Badda resident who works in Uttara’s Azampur, struggled for two consecutive days before deciding to take leave.
“Yesterday, I stood for more than two and a half hours waiting for a bus. After much difficulty, I finally got one. The return journey was equally chaotic. That’s why I took two days off—I won’t even step outside my house.”
Many commuters also turned to social media to express their frustration.
A user named Fahim Ferdaus wrote on Traffic Alert, a Facebook page dedicated to Dhaka’s transport updates, “There’s a long queue from Farmgate to Banani, but only one Airport Paribahan bus is running. The transport crisis is severe. The roads are clogged with traffic, but buses are missing when they are needed most. Those who travel to Banani regularly know how bad things have become.”
Posting a picture of passengers clinging to a bus door, another user, Tawseef Sadat, wrote, “Khilkhet, 8:30 a.m. Total chaos! The new ticketing system has made things even worse for passengers.”
Another user, Safayet Mahmud, commented, “I’m willing to struggle more for buses, but the government should revoke the licences of those transporters who are keeping buses off the roads and introduce their own public transport instead.”
Transport Owners Blame Drivers
Md Saiful Alam, General Secretary of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association, acknowledged the crisis and attributed it to the refusal of some bus drivers to operate under the counter-based system, leading to a shortage of buses on several routes. However, he mentioned that Iqbal and Balaka Paribahan had resumed services.
He pointed out that some drivers were resisting the shift from a contract-based earnings system to fixed salaries.
“These drivers are causing disruptions because they used to earn more under the old contract-based system. We are negotiating with them.”
Alam further stated that Balaka and some Rida buses had resumed service, and efforts were ongoing to resolve the issue with two driver groups.
“Airport Paribahan operated as a local service on Tuesday, but its owners were pressured to adopt the counter system. The situation should stabilize in a few more days.”
He explained that under the previous model, drivers would deposit Tk 2,000 to the owners and earn Tk 5,000–6,000 for themselves. However, with a fixed salary, they might only receive Tk 2,000. He also suggested that certain individuals were instigating the unrest.
“We are negotiating with the drivers, and there’s a possibility of increasing their salaries to resolve the issue.”
E-Ticketing: A Solution for Dhaka’s Traffic Woes?
The counter-based e-ticketing system was introduced on February 6 for buses operating between Abdullahpur and various destinations in Dhaka. The initiative, covering 2,610 pink-colored buses under 21 companies, aims to bring order to the capital’s chaotic transport system.
During the launch event, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali remarked, “This is the first step toward fixing Dhaka’s broken traffic system. Eventually, all routes will adopt this system.”
“When foreign visitors arrive at Dhaka airport, they immediately witness our disorganized traffic. Buses push and shove each other like cattle. It’s embarrassing.”
However, some bus drivers on the Pragati Sarani route have opposed the change. On Monday, drivers and transport workers staged a protest in Sayedabad, demanding the freedom to pick up passengers anywhere rather than being restricted to designated counters.
