The government is set to finalise a law, introducing an integrated ticketing system for all public transports, including road, waterways, railways, and airways.
An inter-ministerial meeting was held by the road transport and bridges ministry on Monday to discuss the initiative.
Road transport and highways division secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri told 抖阴精品 that they were close to finalising the draft of the 鈥業ntegrated Ticketing System in Public Transports and Clearing House Management Act 鈥� 2024鈥�.
鈥榃e expect to finalise the draft within seven days after receiving additional feedback,鈥� he said.
Currently, Dhaka residents can use two passes鈥擬RT Pass and Rapid Pass鈥攆or the Mass Rapid Transit Line or metro rail.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the electronic Rapid Pass on January 4, 2018, aiming to introduce a 鈥極ne Card for all Transport鈥� system to save time and costs.
A clearing house had been established at the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, under the road transport and bridges ministry, to implement the automatic fare collection system and the fare collection system integration with technical assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
DTCA had also initiated the establishment of clearing house for integrating transport ticketing system in Dhaka city adjacent districts (phase-II) project.
The proposed law aims to make the integrated ticketing system applicable for all public transports under both government and non-government management. The goal is to ensure seamless, hassle-free, time- and cost-saving, and comfortable travel. The system also aims to facilitate freight and allied services like parking, station lockers, and warehouse services, contributing to a 鈥楽mart Bangladesh鈥� with improved transportation facilities.
Under the new system, rapid passes will function as debit or credit cards, and the government will set transport fares. DTCA will regulate and implement the integrated ticketing system. Public Transport Operators must obtain secure access module cards from DTCA to connect with the clearing house. Also, an integrated ticket system management company will be established under the proposed law.
聽Penalties for obstructing the implementation of this pass system include up to three years in jail or a fine of up to Tk 20 lakh, or both. Operating transport businesses without adhering to the proposed law could result in fines of up to Tk 10 lakh, license cancellation, route permit revocation, or fitness certificate cancellation.
ABM Amin Ullah Nuri emphasised that the concept of this law was new in Bangladesh. The draft was previously uploaded on the ministry鈥檚 website, and an additional seven days had been allotted for more feedback and clarifications.
