E-Ticketing to Ease Bus Travel on Dhaka Routes
Passengers travelling on buses operating on Dhaka city and suburban routes will now be required to use e-tickets. The electronic ticketing system is being jointly introduced by the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Traffic Division, with technical support from UrbanMove Tech. The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with several labour organisations, including the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation and the Dhaka District Road Transport Vehicle Workers’ Union.
The system was formally inaugurated at a press conference on Monday, January 19, held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Dhaka. It was announced that the e-ticketing system would be fully operational within one week. For passengers who do not use smartphones, more than 3,500 ticket masters will be deployed to issue tickets manually.
UrbanMove Tech Managing Director Junaid Abdullah said that QR codes will be installed at over 800 bus stops across Dhaka. Passengers will be able to scan the code, download the app, and purchase tickets independently. Those without smartphones will be able to buy tickets directly from the designated ticket masters.
In a written statement at the press conference, Saiful Alam, General Secretary of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association, said that UrbanMove Tech has taken overall responsibility for managing the e-ticketing system by signing agreements with transport companies on different routes. He reiterated that the system would be launched within a week.
He also outlined several key compliance rules under the new system, noting that all buses must pick up and drop off passengers only at designated stops, and all passengers must travel with valid e-tickets, obtained either through the app or authorised devices. Fares will strictly follow government-approved rates, with half fares for students continuing as before.
“We believe that effective implementation of this system will reduce traffic congestion, stop unfair competition, lower accident rates, ensure safer and more comfortable travel for passengers, and eliminate extortion from buses on the roads,” Saiful Alam said.
He further noted that bus services in Dhaka city and suburban routes have been operating in a state of extreme disorder for the past 16 years, due to the absence of designated bus stops, lack of modern traffic management, operation without valid route permits, delays and harassment in obtaining valid driving licences, and the widespread use of contract-based driving instead of salaried employment. These issues, he said, have led to unfair competition, traffic congestion, frequent accidents, and deterioration of vehicles.
To address these challenges and bring discipline to the transport sector, improve passenger services, reduce accidents, and establish a more organised and visually appealing transport system, the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association—together with the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation and the DMP Traffic and Crime Divisions—has decided to introduce e-ticketing and counter-based bus operations on Dhaka city and suburban routes.
Saiful Alam added that over the past eight months, multiple rounds of discussions, counselling sessions, and consultations have been held with the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, Home Ministry, Dhaka North and South City Corporations, Dhaka and Gazipur Metropolitan Police, Roads and Highways Department, district administrations of Dhaka and Manikganj, Highway Police, transport workers, transport companies, and other relevant stakeholders.
Among those present at the press conference were Sarwar Hossain, Additional Police Commissioner (Administration) of the DMP; Anisur Rahman, Additional Commissioner (Traffic); and Abul Kashem, General Secretary of the Dhaka District Road Transport Vehicle Workers’ Union.
DBTech/BDO/EK/OR
