Make Metro Rail fare reasonable

One of the noteworthy initiatives taken by the Bangladesh government is the installation of metro rail. The much awaited first ever elevated metro rail is ready for commercial operation as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to inaugurate it today.

This is a big moment for the country’s transport sector. Although the train service will be launched initially from Uttara to Agargaon—and later to Motijheel, covering a distance of 20.10 km—one can imagine a successful period of run may eventually lead to its replication across other busy parts of Dhaka and also in other metropolitan areas of Bangladesh.

However, since the construction began, metro rail has always been a bone of contention. This has been further exacerbated by the pricing decision of the government. The minimum fare is set for Tk 20, while the per kilometer price for commuting is Tk 5, making the whole route travel cost Tk 100.

Several debates have been on the floor regarding the price, several columnists and writers mostly opposing the price bracket. What is the rationale behind the pricing and why it is most reasonable to the target audience? What is the consumer perspective rather than an investment-profit approach?

Before launching any service, it is necessary to identify the target consumers and what they need. From the present economic scenario of Bangladesh, the larger chunk that is expected to use the service of metro rail is from the dominating middle-income bracket. And this middle-income cohort prefers a bit more comfort, safety, and mobility even if for a higher price. The fundamental need of this group is very evident from a time value judgment.

The Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) recently advised the government to reduce the fare of the metro rail by 30 per cent to make the service more people-oriented and effective.

Around 60 to 70 per cent of people in Dhaka use public transport. The fare for buses is around Tk 2.5 per kilometre, while the minimum fare for metro rail is Tk 20. Those intending to cross shorter distances will be discouraged by this.

As the middle and lower-middle-income groups of people will be the main beneficiaries of the service and the fare should be reduced by 30 per cent, the institution added.

Project Director of the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) Md Ashraful Islam said that it is the practice in developed countries that once a city has a population of three million people, metro rail services are encouraged.

Among the six proposed metro lines, the Uttara-Motijheel (MRT-6) route is considered as the most essential one, for which the government has taken the initiative to complete it first.

Every day, around 3.5 to 4 crore trips are generated. The metro rail is a timely step to make these trips quicker.

It will not only significantly reduce travel time in daily commute but will also carry a large number of passengers, easing the pressure on other transport services. The flexibility, ease and speed of communications, and consequent economic potential that this service promises to bring, may have profound impacts on the quality of life.

Effective use of metro rail can be ensured by effective planning on how people will come to the stations or go to various destinations around the stations. To reduce the traffic congestion in Dhaka significantly, the implementation of all the components of Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP) -- such as the six metro lines, three ring roads, two Bus Rapid Transits, 8 radial roads, bus route rationalisation system and pedestrian ways—is very significant.

Proper steps are needed to manage the huge flow of people after arriving at the station. The authorities should give the necessary attention to this matter from the beginning.