Another 15 companies of city buses with their 711 units in the capital’s Mohammadpur, Azimpur and Gabtoli will introduce the e-ticketing system from Tuesday.
With new ones, 2,354 buses of 45 companies have come under the system, said General Secretary of Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association Khondaker Enayet Ullah.
At present, a total of 5,650 buses of 97 companies have been providing service to passengers commuting between Dhaka and its suburbs.
“Three vigilance teams from the association are conducting drives daily to implement the e-ticketing on the remaining vehicles. Apart from this, nine special checkers appointed by the association are monitoring the road every day,” Enayet Ullah said, sounding a warning that they will take action if any company refuses to introduce the system.
Last year, 30 companies operating buses on the Mirpur and suburb routes in the capital introduced the e-ticketing system for 1,643 buses in two phases. These 30 companies have implemented this system on their 70-75 per cent vehicles.
“Passengers have been complaining that the distance-wise fare is not mentioned in the tickets. We have requested BRTA to prepare a fare chart based on distance. We will mention kilometres on the device when the fare chart is created,” Enayet Ullah said.
Once the total e-ticketing plan is implemented, 5,650 buses in Dhaka and its suburbs will be brought under the e-ticketing system. The bus owners would not operate buses contractually, which would help reduce the tendency towards competition among the drivers to pick passengers, according to the association.
Chaos and accidents involving public transport would also be reduced as the system has been introduced to restore discipline in Dhaka city's road transport system and stop the conductors from overcharging the passengers.
