[🇧🇩] City Buses, Metro Rail, Urban Transport & City Road Infra

Source: http://www.pkdefense.com

Metro rail eases traffic on Mirpur-Motijheel route​

Metro Rail authorities operate a train from Agargaon to Motijheel as part of the system-integrated test run. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate this section today. The photo was taken from the Dhaka University area recently. Photo: Rajib Dhar

Metro Rail authorities operate a train from Agargaon to Motijheel as part of the system-integrated test run. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate this section today. The photo was taken from the Dhaka University area recently. Photo: Rajib Dhar

Traffic congestion on the Mirpur-Agargaon-Farmgate-Motijheel route has significantly decreased since the Dhaka metro rail operating hours were extended, providing commuters with a more relaxed and faster journey.

However, other busy routes like Uttara-Mohakhali-Motijheel and Uttara-Badda-Motijheel continue to see the same old gridlock.
Service holder Sayma Hoque, who used to spend hours commuting from her Mirpur home to her Motijheel office, now enjoys a one-hour journey, thanks to the metro rail. With reduced traffic on the route, her daily commute has become significantly less stressful.


Deputy Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police traffic department's Tejgaon division Mushtaq Ahmed confirmed the decrease in traffic and improved discipline on the metro rail route. However, he acknowledged that the congestion problem persists in other parts of the city.

Since early November of last year, metro rail has begun running between Uttara and Motijheel. However, the trains were only in service from 7:10am until 11:30am. On 20 January, the time was extended to 8:40pm.


The metro rail's 20.1km stretch from Uttara to Motijheel now takes only 31 minutes to cover, a stark contrast to the hours spent battling traffic on the same route before.

This has led to a significant shift in commuter preference, with many opting for the faster and more comfortable metro rail over traditional public transport like buses.

The impact on bus services is evident. Ayat Paribahan owner Khaled Khan reported a 35% drop in passengers on the Mirpur-Motijheel route, forcing some buses to remain parked.

Similar observations were made by Shikar Paribahan bus helper Nur Hossen and ride-share provider Md Kamrul, both of whom have seen a decline in business due to the metro rail's success.

A Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology survey conducted in 2023 revealed that before the metro rail, 59.41% of passengers used public buses for their commute on the Uttara-Motijheel route. This highlights the significant shift in travel patterns brought about by the metro rail.

While the metro rail has brought relief to commuters on the Mirpur-Motijheel route, congestion remains a major concern in other parts of the city.

Shahidul Islam, a commuter from Banani to Farmgate, told The Business Standard that traffic congestion has worsened in the Mohakhali area, even on the flyover. Similarly, the Uttara-Badda-Motijheel route continues to experience the same level of traffic and passenger pressure.

Mahbubur Rahman, vice-president of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owner Association, acknowledged the drop in bus passengers on the Uttara-Motijheel route, except for those running via Badda-Rampura.

He reported a 50% decrease in income for bus owners on the Mirpur-Motijheel route, with some companies even stopping operations due to the losses.

Rahman expressed the bus operators' commitment to improving service quality to attract passengers back. However, it remains to be seen whether they can effectively compete with the convenience and efficiency offered by the metro rail.

 

[Bilal9]

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[Saif]

Bangladesh plans Tk 2.0t investment in transport and communication for next two fiscals

The government plans to substantially increase public investments across key sectors such as road, rail, bridge, shipping, civil aviation, and telecommunications, aiming to transform Bangladesh into an upper middle-income country by 2031 and a smart, developed country by 2041. According to the 'Me

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh plans Tk 2.0t investment in transport and communication for next two fiscals
Published :
Apr 29, 2024 13:57
Updated :
Apr 29, 2024 13:57

The government plans to substantially increase public investments across key sectors such as road, rail, bridge, shipping, civil aviation, and telecommunications, aiming to transform Bangladesh into an upper middle-income country by 2031 and a smart, developed country by 2041.

According to the 'Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26)', the government plans to allocate Tk 963.9 billion in the fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25), escalating to Tk 1.06 trillion in FY26, as per a UNB agency report.

This increase follows an investment of Tk 876.3 billion for the current fiscal year, emphasising a significant boost in funding for various development programmes.

The policy document highlights the critical role of an integrated and cost-effective transport and communication system in fostering economic growth, enhancing trade, and ensuring social integration.

It states that an efficient transport and logistics system is essential for smooth supply chain management and to effectively compete on a global scale.

Specifically, the Road Transport and Highways Division is implementing projects to establish an advanced and sustainable road transport system, including the construction of multi-lane highways, elevated expressways, and new bridges.

These efforts are complemented by plans to widen 1100 km of highways, repair and maintain 1250 km highways, and rebuild 450 km of highways with 7300 metres of bridges and culverts.

In Dhaka city, the government is focusing on reducing traffic congestion by advancing metro rail lines, a move poised to significantly improve urban mobility.

The railway sector is also undergoing transformation under a 30-year master plan aimed at making it a dependable, affordable, modern, and people-friendly mode of transport. Initiatives include connecting every district with a railway network, upgrading tracks, and modernising the signalling system. By FY26, the government aims to construct 275 km of new railway track and reconstruct 210 km of existing lines.

The document also outlines ambitious plans for the water transport system, noting its importance in the integrated multi-modal transport framework.

The Ministry of Shipping is executing extensive programmes for the enhancement of inland waterways, seaports, and land ports, along with significant dredging efforts to maintain river navigability.

Amid rising demand for air travel, both domestically and internationally, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is undertaking projects to expand passenger handling capacities and enhance facilities at airports. These upgrades are part of a broader strategy to position Bangladesh as a regional hub for international passenger transport.

These comprehensive plans not only aim to modernise Bangladesh's infrastructure but also serve as a cornerstone for the country's ambitious economic development goals.

 

[Saif]

Is VAT on metro justified?

City residents had to put up with a lot of hassle in terms of dust, pollution and dug-out roads or overlapping barricaded medians while the first metro rail (MRT-6) was being built. There long delays and the project had dragged on for years, but residents put up with all the problems associated wit

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Is VAT on metro justified?
SYED MANSUR HASHIM
Published :
Apr 30, 2024 22:05
Updated :
Apr 30, 2024 22:05

City residents had to put up with a lot of hassle in terms of dust, pollution and dug-out roads or overlapping barricaded medians while the first metro rail (MRT-6) was being built. There long delays and the project had dragged on for years, but residents put up with all the problems associated with it in the hope that one day they would ride on this advanced mode of transportation. It promised to be fast, clean and comfortable. In that regard the metro rail service has delivered. To popularise the service, the government made travel by metro rail (MRT) VAT-free. While users of all other modes of public transportation must pay variable rates of Value-Added-Tax (VAT), MRT was exempt from it. It has become more than simply a rail service---a pride of the city.

The national board of revenue (NBR) has decided, in principle that the grace period is now over and intends to levy VAT on MRT fares from 2025, i.e. from next fiscal year. There has been a lot of talk against this but there are arguments for and against this proposed move. People in general are already under tremendous pressure of inflation and cost of everything has gone through the roof and stayed there. The metro service provided much reprieve to the people who had previously had to suffer hours of gridlock on the streets of the MRT-6 route.

That changed with the introduction of the MRT which provided a train every 10 minutes and with fares ranging from Tk20.00 - Tk100.00 have been heaven sent. No more pollution, no more sitting in non-air-conditioned modes of transportation. All this carries a price tag of course. Getting back to the subject of VAT, the NBR has made it clear that all other modes of air-conditioned public transportation are subjected to VAT payment and MRT should not be an exemption. The government for its part has kept the service VAT-free for a year and now intends to levy the same type of VAT it has imposed on other public modes of transportation, on land, water or air.

The VAT law exempted passengers from paying any VAT till June 30, 2024 and this policy is being reviewed. However, given the massive popularity MRT has earned, the revenue authorities should rethink the rate of VAT imposition. According to a report published in this newspaper, it would be more prudent to impose VAT at a staggered pace. Although VAT experts have pointed out that even a 15 per cent imposition would not have a huge impact at passenger level. A Tk20.00 ticket would end up costing Tk23.00 and the highest-value ticket presently costing Tk100.00 would cost Tk115.00.

What is perhaps not being talked about much is the fact that the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has been giving incentive to passengers to procure their own travel passes that carry 10-year validity and is tied to their national ID (NID). These travel cards are pre-paid and can be topped up any time. More importantly, DMTCL gives a 10 per cent discount to passengers who have registered and procured these passes. Hence, if the government truly believes it must impose VAT at all costs, it should make more effort to popularise travel passes and the only way that can be done is by phasing out ticket vending machines gradually so that people get used to the idea of utilising travel passes. One should not forget that daily usage of the MRT since introduction in December 2022 now averages 300,000 passengers. Hence, any sudden and dramatic change to ticket price should be avoided.​

 

[Bilal9]