Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority

Last updated

Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA)
Company type Public
Industry Transportation
Founded2 September 2012;11 years ago (2 September 2012)
Headquarters13-14th Floor, Nagar Bhaban,
Dhaka
,
Bangladesh
Area served
Most of Dhaka Division
Key people
Parent Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges
Website www.dtca.gov.bd

Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) is the government agency responsible for coordinating transport-related projects in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh and most of Dhaka division. [1] The agency is responsible for moderating and mediating negotiations between transport labor unions and transport owners. [2] Under the Revised Strategic Transport Plan, any changes to transport infrastructure will need approval from the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority. [3] It is also responsible for overseeing mass transport projects in Dhaka. [4]

Contents

Background

Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority was established on 2 September 2012. It traces its origins to Dhaka Transport Coordination Board which was established in 1998. The authority was formed through the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority Act, 2012. The authority has jurisdiction in Dhaka, Gazipur, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Narsingdi and the city corporations within those districts. [5] [1]

Revised Strategic Transport Plan

The Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP), approved by the government on 29 August 2016, is a comprehensive initiative aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in the city. It encompasses the construction of various large-scale infrastructure projects, including five metro rails (MRT), two bus rapid transits (BRT), three ring roads, eight radial roads, six expressways, and 21 transportation hubs. This 20-year master plan, spanning from 2015 to 2035, is structured into three phases, focusing on enhancing connectivity between Dhaka and its surrounding districts. [6]

The first phase includes the MRT, BRT Line 3, and Dhaka Elevated Expressway. The second phase involves constructing MRT Line 1 and Line 5, establishing a multimodal hub at the new airport terminal, and improving radial and ring roads and expressways. [6]

In the third phase, the focus shifts to constructing BRT Line 7 and MRT Line 2 and Line 4, alongside further enhancements to radial and ring roads and expressways. Additionally, the plan aims to enhance circular waterways around Dhaka and improve traffic management and safety. [6]

The criticisms regarding the implementation of the RSTP in Dhaka include concerns about past failures in implementing similar projects, skepticism about the proper execution of the RSTP, doubts about the supporting infrastructure being developed alongside the plan, and questions about the capability of DTCA to oversee such a large-scale project effectively. Experts have pointed out that previous initiatives like the Dhaka Urban Transport Project (DUTP) and Strategic Transport Plan (STP) focused more on aspects that would gain political favor rather than addressing the integrated aspects of the plan. There are worries that without proper supporting infrastructure, such as for the construction of flyovers and metro rails, the traffic congestion issues in Dhaka will persist. Additionally, there have been instances where projects not aligned with the RSTP have been approved by the agency, raising concerns about adherence to the master plan. [7] [1]

Rapid Pass

In 2017, the agency launched the Rapid Pass, a multipurpose stored-value card payment system. Initially launched for BRTC bus services operating on the Uttara–Motijheel route, the microchip card payment system is set to broaden its reach to encompass various modes of public transport, including private buses, trains, and ferries. Moreover, it aims to evolve its capabilities to serve additional functionalities such as shopping, payment of utility bills and student tuition fees. [8]

Dhaka Nagar Paribahan

Following the 2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the Dhaka South City Corporation and Local Government and Rural Development Ministry (LGRD) to consolidate Dhaka's bus services under a few companies and routes, instead of the present hundreds of routes served by hundreds of private companies. The plan was envisioned by late Annisul Huq, former mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation. [9]

On 9 September 2018, the Local Government Division established a 10-member coordination committee, including the executive director of DTCA, with the aim of rationalising bus routes and consolidating all public buses under a fixed number of companies, to instil discipline in the capital's public transport system. [10] Subsequently, the Dhaka Nagar Paribahan franchise, comprising Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) and Trans Silva, commenced operations with their fleet of 50 existing buses on 26 December 2021 with a trial run on a 21-kilometre (13 mi) route between Ghatarchar and Kanchpur via Motijheel and Signboard. [11]

During the pilot phase, the service faced criticism on multiple fronts. Bus operators cited difficulties in attracting passengers due to competition from other buses, leading to financial losses. Drivers expressed dissatisfaction over incomplete salary payments, highlighting potential financial mismanagement. Commuters also complained about inadequate bus numbers, resulting in long waiting times and passenger frustration due to insufficient service capacity. [11]

As of 2024, the Dhaka Nagar Paribahan franchise is facing significant challenges due to allegations of mismanagement by the committee. The service has reportedly lost discipline, operating buses on a daily contract basis with drivers, who often deviate from designated procedures by picking up passengers through flagging instead of only stopping at designated ticket counters. Moreover, private companies have withdrawn from the franchise due to financial losses, leaving only BRTC and its diminishing fleet of buses. Additionally, one route has been closed, exacerbating the strain on the already struggling service. [12] [13] [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Bangladesh</span>

Since Bangladesh's independence in 1971, the transportation sector has grown rapidly and transportation medium on land and rivers have begun to develop. Air travel came into existence later. Though Bangladesh has greatly evolved in the transportation sector, it still has many flaws which hamper the development of other economic and social sectors. Transportation has evolved in mostly land vehicles but it still needs improvement in safety standards, which endangers the life of civilians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation</span> Bangladeshi transportation agency

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is a state-owned transport corporation of Bangladesh. It was established under the Government Ordinance No.7 of 1961 dated 4 February 1961. Following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, it assumed its current name. It is responsible for issuing buses and maintaining the public transports in the roads and highway division.

The MRT Brown Line is a 22.1 km rapid transit line in Bangkok, Thailand proposed monorail mass transit line from Nonthaburi Civic Centre, Nonthaburi Province to Lam Sali intersection, Bang Kapi District. 20 stations are proposed for the line and the expected cost for the project is 48 billion baht. The line has been integrated for 7.2 km with the N2 expressway project and a feasibility study has been completed. The MRT Brown line will interchange with 7 other mass transit lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transportation in Metro Manila</span> Overview of Metro Manilas transportation system

The transportation system in Metro Manila covers the road network, rail network, ferries, ports and airports located with the metropolitan Manila area. Road transportation in Metro Manila is diverse, composed of many types of private and public transport vehicles. These include Taxis, buses, jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs. In some areas, especially in Divisoria and large public markets, two-stroke motors are fitted in the pedicabs and are used for goods transport. Regardless of modernity, horse-drawn kalesas are still used in the streets of Binondo and Intramuros. Ridesharing services such as Grab also operate within in Metro Manila.

The BMA Grey Line is a planned monorail line in the north of Bangkok to be built from Watcharaphon to Thong Lo. The route would provide a vital north - south link for a distance of 16.25 km with 15 planned stations and is expected to cost 27 billion baht. The line would support the growth of residential areas around Pradit Monutham Rd and Kaset-Namawin rd corridors and is forecast to eventually have 370,000 passengers per day. The BMA Grey with interchange with other lines including the MRT Pink Line, the proposed MRT Brown Line, the MRT Yellow Line, MRT Orange Line and BTS Sukhumvit Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhaka Metro Rail</span> Mass rapid transit system in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The Dhaka Metro Rail, or simply the Dhaka Metro, is a mass rapid transit system serving Dhaka, the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. It is owned and operated by the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). Together with the under construction Dhaka BRT, proposed Dhaka Subway and Dhaka suburban circular rail, it is expected to reduce traffic congestion in the city. The metro rail network has five planned lines which are the MRT Line 6, the only operational line, MRT Line 1 and 5, which are under construction, and MRT Line 2 and MRT Line 4, which are in the planning stages. It is part of the Strategic Transport Plan outlined by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit</span> Public transit system in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit also known as UDART is a bus rapid transit system that began operations on 10 May 2016 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System</span> Public transport service in Delhi, India


Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) Limited is a transport consultancy and infrastructure development company. It is a joint venture company with equal equity of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and the IDFC Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Klang Valley Integrated Transit System</span> Rail transportation network in the Klang Valley

The Klang Valley Integrated Transit System is an integrated transport network that primarily serves the area of Klang Valley and Greater Kuala Lumpur. The system commenced operations in August 1995 with the introduction of commuter rail service on the existing rail between Kuala Lumpur and Rawang. The system have since expanded and currently consists of 11 fully operating rail lines in a radial formation; two commuter rail lines, six rapid transit lines, one bus rapid transit line and two airport rail links to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's (KLIA) Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and one temperarily suspended airport rail link to the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. The system encompasses 528.4 kilometres (328.3 mi) of grade-separated route on standard gauge and metre gauge with 176 operational stations.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is the Lagos State Government agency created to coordinate transport planning, policies, and public transport infrastructure implementation in the Lagos Metropolitan Area, Nigeria. The organisation oversees wide range of transport planning and implementation of transport strategies and plans in Lagos, as well as the Lagos Rail Mass Transit and the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit System. It is based in Ikeja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangladesh Bridge Authority</span> Government agency in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) is a statutory government body responsible for the construction and maintenance of bridges, tunnels, flyovers, overpasses, causeways and subways in Bangladesh. It is headquartered at Dhaka, Bangladesh. The authority operates under the purview of the Bridges Division within the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhaka Subway</span> Underground urban rail network in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka Subway is an underground urban rail network being planned in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority. Dhaka Subway was conceived as a separate transport system to the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit network, commonly known as Dhaka Metro Rail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purbachal Expressway</span> Expressway in Bangladesh

Purbachal Expressway, officially the Sheikh Hasina Avenue, is a 12.5-kilometre-long (7.8 mi), 14 lane expressway in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This expressway connects Purbachal to eastern Dhaka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MRT Line 6 (Dhaka Metro Rail)</span> Mass rapid transit line of Dhaka Metro

The MRT Line 6 is a line on the Dhaka Metro Rail. It is Bangladesh's first rapid transit line and has been in service since 2022. It is an entirely elevated line and currently has 16 stations in service between Uttara North and Motijheel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapid Pass</span> Smart card fare system in Bangladesh

The Rapid Pass is a smart card automated fare collection system based on near-field communication (NFC) technology used on participating public transit systems in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Rapid Pass card readers were implemented on a trial basis in 2017. Full implementation began in January 2018 and it was rolled out across rapid transit stations, railway stations, bus stops and terminals, and transit vehicles on many different transit systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MRT Line 1 (Dhaka Metro Rail)</span> Mass rapid transit line of Dhaka Metro

The MRT Line 1 is Dhaka's rapid transit line under construction. It will be the second of the Dhaka Metro Rail system and will be operated by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). Its construction started in February 2023. It is scheduled to open in December 2026.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhaka BRT</span> Bus rapid transit system of Dhaka

The Dhaka BRT or Dhaka Line is a bus rapid transit system in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The network was originally planned to contain two lines which are BRT Line 3 and BRT Line 7. Of the two sections that were originally planned for BRT Line 3, only the northern section of the line is under construction from 2017, with the other route being in the planning phase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MRT Line 5 (Northern Route)</span> Branch of the MRT Line 5 of Dhaka Metro

The Northern Route is one of the branches of the approved MRT Line 5 of Dhaka Metro Rail; the other one being the Southern Route. The construction of the Northern Route started in 4 November 2023 and is scheduled to commence operation by 2028.

The Dhaka–Narayanganj AC Bus is a inter-city bus service connecting Dhaka and Narayanganj. The service is operated by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) and was launched in 2011.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Adhikary, Tuhin Shubhra (14 March 2023). "Transport master plan violated at will". The Daily Star . Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  2. ↑ "Uncertain fate of new bus transportation model". The Financial Express. Dhaka. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "Are flyovers really the solution?". Dhaka Tribune . Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "Jica-funded projects on track again". The Daily Star. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "About Us". Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 Mamun, Shohel (21 September 2016). "Easing traffic jam in Dhaka: Where does RSTP stand now?". Dhaka Tribune . Archived from the original on 15 July 2017.
  7. ↑ Mamun, Shohel (21 September 2016). "Doubt raised about RSTP implementation". Dhaka Tribune . Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Do you have your Rapid Pass?". Dhaka Tribune . Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  9. ↑ "PM orders to carry out Mayor Annisul's bus plan". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  10. ↑ "Committee formed for bus route rationalisation". The Daily Star. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  11. 1 2 "Bus route rationalization: Was the pilot successful?". Dhaka Tribune . 5 February 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  12. ↑ "Nagar Paribahan loses all its charms". The Financial Express. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  13. ↑ Mostafa, Mohammad (30 January 2024). "Nagar Paribahan service on verge of closure too". Prothom Alo English. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  14. ↑ Masum, Obaidur (28 January 2024). "Once touted as a game-changer, Nagar Paribahan makes no difference to Dhaka's public transport chaos". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 14 March 2024.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.