Scan, pay, ride: Dhaka’s chaotic bus system gets a digital makeover
Passengers in Dhaka will soon need an e-ticket to board buses, as the capital’s long-awaited digital ticketing system is set to roll out within a week.
The move aims to bring order to a chaotic transport system, reduce traffic congestion, curb fare disputes, and improve passenger safety across city and suburban routes.
E-tickets to transform commuting
From next week, commuters travelling between Dhaka and the surrounding suburbs will no longer be able to board buses without an e-ticket. The new system, officially launched at a press conference on Monday, January 19, will combine digital convenience with traditional ticket counters, ensuring accessibility for passengers with and without smartphones.
More than 800 bus stops across the capital will display QR codes, which passengers can scan to download the app and purchase tickets. For those without smartphones, over 3,500 ticket masters will be available to issue tickets, ensuring no commuter is left behind.
The initiative is a joint effort involving the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, Dhaka District Road Transport Vehicle Workers Union, and several labour organisations, with Urbanmove Tech providing technical management and support.
Saiful Alam, General Secretary of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association, emphasised that the system will enforce discipline on Dhaka’s roads, which have been plagued by chaotic operations for 16 years.
“Buses have been operating without designated stops, drivers often work on irregular contracts, vehicle maintenance is poor, and competitive driving has led to congestion, accidents, and delays,” Alam said. “This program will streamline operations, reduce traffic jams, prevent fare disputes, and improve comfort and safety for passengers.”
Key features of the e-ticketing system:
Designated Stops: All buses will pick up and drop off passengers only at assigned locations.
E-Ticket Requirement: Passengers must use the app or a ticket master to obtain a ticket before boarding.
Fare Regulation: Government-determined fares will be enforced, with students continuing to pay half fare.
Safety and Oversight: The system will be monitored by transport associations and law enforcement to prevent fare extortion and unsafe practices.
Junaid Abdullah, Managing Director of Urbanmove Tech, explained that QR codes at bus stops will allow tech-savvy commuters to buy tickets independently, while ticket masters will cater to passengers without smartphones.
The e-ticketing system is the result of eight months of coordination with the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Dhaka North and South City Corporations, the Dhaka and Gazipur Metropolitan Police, the Roads and Highways Department, district administrations, transport companies, and workers’ unions.
The press conference was attended by DMP Additional Police Commissioner (Administration) Sarwar Hossain, Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Anisur Rahman, and Dhaka District Road Transport Vehicle Workers Union General Secretary Abul Kashem, highlighting the high-level support for the project.
Alam concluded, “This is not just a digital upgrade. It’s a step toward a safe, fair, and modern transport system that passengers can rely on, while restoring order to Dhaka’s roads for the first time in decades.”