Just a year and a half since its launch, the Metro Rail Line-6 connecting Motijheel to Uttara North under Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) is already drawing public criticism—primarily due to ticketing complications.

On Tuesday, April 4, a ticket vending machine (TVM) malfunction at Kazipara metro station in Mirpur caused a major disruption. Although passengers repeatedly pressed the call button to summon assistance, no staff appeared for nearly 15 minutes. When someone finally arrived and temporarily fixed the issue, the machine broke down again after only two tickets were dispensed. When questioned about the delay in responding, the official admitted that the call button on that particular machine was non-functional.

Such issues with single-journey tickets are frequently reported by users. Additionally, many commuters have expressed frustration over complications related to the MRT pass system. Interestingly, a young Bangladeshi developer has independently created a mobile app called “MRT Buddy” that, while not supporting recharges, allows users to check their balance and other relevant information easily. This raises the question—if an individual can develop such a solution with limited resources, why can’t the authorities?

According to Md. Abdur Rouf, the recently retired managing director of DMTCL, a dedicated metro app is currently in the final stages of development in Japan, and discussions are ongoing about its implementation. He expressed hope that it will be launched soon.

Dr. Md. Hadiuzzaman, a professor in BUET’s Civil Engineering Department, stated that there has been a lack of proper planning from the beginning. He noted that relying heavily on foreign firms often leads to high costs, while engaging local tech experts could have ensured better, long-term solutions.