Ways to improve transport system in Dhaka City

Good public transport systems are an essential part of safe, clean and affordable transport for development. From a social perspective (fwa), public transport is often the only means of transport for the poor. Without it, they would be able to look at work opportunities only within walking distance of their homes, so public transport improves their livelihood opportunities. It also gives them greater access to education, health care and recreation. For senior citizens, people with disabilities and children, public transport is also their main means of mobility (; f). But, without incorporating the views of various technical experts and the traveling pubic, analysis of the existing traffic and transports, and addressing environmental issues, a new public transport system cannot be sustainable. The following points are some ways to imporve transport system in Dhaka City:

• Alternative public transport systems, such as Underground Metro and Tramways or Light Railways, should be considered provided infrastructure (44) is suitable and adequate (9:22) space and funding are available.
• Integrated (সংহত করা), diverse transport systems must be considered. Building Metro by sacrificing rickshaws, bicycles and footpaths will not solve traffic problems. The existing ( 1) provision for non-motorised vehicles such as bicycles and rickshaws must be improved while introducing other forms of transports. Improvements should be made for non-motorised vehicles for easy accessibility to inner roads.
• Without making adequate (পর্যাপ্ত) provisions, it will never be possible to give priority (ef) non-motorised vehciles. Traffic congestion will increase if more and more motorised vehicles share the same lane of a main road with non-motorised vehicles.
• It is necessary to introduce other forms of environment-friendly public transport systems such as Mass
  Transit, which can carry lot of passengers at a time and also can reduce the burden on roads. However, this cannot be as a replacement of other form of transports such as bicycles. rickshaws, buses and scooters. It is also necessary not to allow goods vehicles on city roads as through traffic wherever possible. Diversions should be created for this type of traffic, along with the introduction of more and more rail and river transports.
•  It is essential to make improvements to rickshaws so that they become more user-friendly to all types
  of passengers, such as the elderly. females, children and the disabled, and they should also be easily
  maneuverable by rickshaw-pullers, Separate provision for rickshaws will always be useful.
• We must look at Mass Transit systems in other highly populated cities in the world where infrastructures (অবকাঠামো) are very similar to ours.
• More attention should be given to public transport than to the transport for VIPs (Very Important
  Persons). It is very sad to hear that responsible people in our country call a major road VIP road.
• Public Transport should be subsidised so that the general public can afford to travel. Public transports in all major cities of developed countries are subsidised by the government (means public money).
• Footpaths should be created wherever possible, and re-instated on the roads, even if it means demolishing illegal constructions and other forms of obstructions (including access to and from roadside buildings), which encroach onto footpaths, Private transport should be restricted on the main roads during office/business hours (say between 7am and 5:30 pm), particularly if it carries less than four people.
• Separate lanes should be provided for non-motorised vehicles on main roads. Slow moving vehicles such as scooters and motor cycles should not use the same lane as higher speed vehicles such as cars/micro buses and trucks/lorries on major roads. Bus lanes should be introduced on bus routes within the city.
• Approval of $5.2 billion scheme by Strategic Transport Plan (STP) should be given a very careful thought.

In conclusion, everyone wants for additional forms of public transport, such as underground Metro
and/or light railway/tramways, which are capable of carrying a lot of passengers at a time and are also
environment-friendly. Emphasis (গুরুত্ব প্রদান) must be placed on public transport rather than private ones.
Transport rules of all major developed cities should be adopted.