A transport expert has claimed that the pilot project for reforming Dhaka’s bus system was never intended to succeed. According to him, the real aim was to let the system fail, as ongoing disorder in the bus sector allows the collection of huge sums of illicit money—something that would disappear if proper discipline were established.

Professor Md. Hadiuzzaman, a transport specialist and faculty member of the Department of Civil Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), said that Dhaka’s buses can hardly be considered a proper public transport system. He pointed out that both the physical condition and structural organization of the buses are deeply flawed.

He emphasized that buses still form the backbone of public transportation in the capital. Even with the expansion of metro rail and elevated expressways, buses will remain essential. However, past governments prioritized costly infrastructure projects like metro rail and flyovers without first fixing the bus system—a move he described as fundamentally misguided. Globally, he noted, major investments in transport are not made without first establishing a functional and efficient bus network.

There are around 7,000 registered buses in Dhaka, owned by more than 4,000 individual operators. These buses compete aggressively for passengers, often leading to chaotic conditions on the roads.

The professor added that bus route rationalization or a franchise-based system could still be a viable solution for Dhaka. Although previous city mayors held numerous meetings on the issue, he argued that extensive discussions were unnecessary, as multiple studies have already outlined clear implementation strategies. Eventually, a pilot project was introduced—but he alleged that it was deliberately designed to fail, allowing disorder to continue and illegal earnings to persist.

Meanwhile, a commuter named Rafiqul Islam expressed frustration over repeated promises of reform. He said that governments have come and gone, yet little has changed, adding that people are now waiting to see what the new administration will do.

The BNP’s election manifesto includes commitments to ensure discipline and safety in the public transport sector, along with plans for an integrated and smart management system and bus route rationalization.