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Students will be able to take bus rides in Dhaka and other metropolitan cities by half fare seven days a week starting from Tuesday.
In an announcement on Monday, Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association (DRTOA) said that to avail of this facility, applicable from 6am to midnight, students will need to either wear their uniforms or carry an identification card with a photo issued by their educational institutions.
The announcement was made by DRTOA General Secretary Saiful Alam at a seminar at the Engineers Institution auditorium in Dhaka on Monday.
The programme was held to raise awareness among owners and workers about restoring discipline on roads and highways.
A joint statement from DRTOA and non-profit organisation Nirapad Sarak Chai also mentioned that a meeting was held on Saturday at the association’s central office regarding various issues in the transport sector, where the decision was made to implement half fare for students seven days a week instead of five.
DRTOA leaders made this decision to acknowledge the special contributions of students to the mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government in August.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) had previously introduced half fare for students in December 2021 but that was for five days a week.
Speaking at Monday’s programme Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee, a deputy inspector general of highway police, said that people must do something good and leave something better for future generations.
“We must emphasise the need for planning in coordination with everyone concerned and laws, highlighting the importance of road discipline and safety,” he said.
Transport expert Salahuddin Ahmed mentioned that the urban transport project should be restarted as it was originally approved, calling it the only way to free Dhaka from traffic congestion.
DRTOA President MA Baten said, “Bangladesh is going through reforms. Transport owners and workers must also change themselves. They need to criticise their irregularities and mistakes.”
“If we do not commit injustices, do not violate the law, do not drive unlicensed vehicles, and do not put unfit vehicles on the road, the roads will be safe and free from chaos,” he said.
Senior officials of BRTA and Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and senior leaders of different transport and worker associations were present at the meeting.
