Category: TRANSPORT

The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced a new metro rail schedule effective after Eid-ul-Azha. The service will run from 7:10 am to 7:30 pm, with reduced timings on public holidays. Carrying rawhide and cooked meat will not be allowed. While no fare hike decision has been made yet, an increase is likely after June 30. Currently, the metro rail carries around 325,000 passengers daily.

Water transport between Bangladesh’s Saint Martin’s Island and Teknaf has been halted for three days since Friday due to firing incidents on boats by Myanmar criminals. This has triggered a food crisis on the island which is home to 10,000 people and depends on supplies from the mainland. The Trawler Owners’ Association said multiple trawlers were fired upon near the Naf River estuary, the only transportation route to the island. Authorities are exploring

Bangladesh Railway has started selling advance train tickets online from today to ensure smooth journey ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Tickets for June 12 are being sold today, with western route tickets available from 8am and eastern route from 2pm. Tickets for subsequent dates until June 16 will be sold on the following days respectively. Representational image

Bangladesh launched its first direct rail service between Benapole and Mongla Port on June 1st. The inaugural train, carrying 500 passengers, departed Benapole at 10am and is scheduled to reach Mongla at 12:50pm after covering 138.64km. The return service will leave Mongla at 1pm. Daily services, except Tuesdays, will operate with a fare of Tk 85 per passenger. The new rail link to Mongla Port is expected to boost regional economic activities by providing improved access to the port for businesses. Photo: Star

The Bangladesh Railways has cancelled the special train service between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar due to engine and crew shortage, effective from May 30. The decision has drawn criticism from commuters, who allege a vehicle-owner syndicate’s influence behind the move. The service, launched on April 8 to handle Eid rush, was later extended till June 10 but has now been suspended, despite its popularity among passengers. Representational Image

Metro rail operations between Agargaon and Motijheel in Dhaka were suspended again in the afternoon around 5pm due to weak signal issues. This was informed by Dhaka Mass Transit Company’s Managing Director MAN Siddique. However, the Uttara-Agargaon section remained operational. Earlier in the morning, services were halted for 1.5 hours due to power issues on the Uttara-Motijheel line. Representational image

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has suspended its flights to Cox’s Bazar today due to Cyclonic Storm Remal. The airline has also canceled its Kolkata flights BG395 and BG391 for today and tomorrow respectively. This comes after the Bangladesh Meteorological Department asked maritime ports to hoist danger signals as Remal intensified into a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.

Metro rail services in the city were disrupted for over an hour and a half on Saturday evening, causing significant inconvenience to commuters. Operations were suspended from 6:45 pm to 8:20 pm, according to MRT Line-6 project officials. The cause of the suspension was not immediately disclosed. Photo: Collected

Dhaka, the rickshaw capital, is grappling with a dysfunctional public transport system. Paddle rickshaws and decrepit buses over 30 years old clog the roads, symbolizing the chaos. Despite aspirations of being a smart city, indigenous innovations power rickshaws, while dilapidated buses disregard laws. The issue extends beyond public transport, as insensible commuters, whether on wheels or foot, contribute to the congestion by obstructing roads and disregarding traffic rules, exacerbating the city’s mobility woes.  PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to reconsider the decision to impose 15% VAT on metro rail services, citing no VAT on metro services in neighbouring countries. He expressed dismay over rundown buses in Dhaka, calling it “shameful” and urging city mayors to take action to align with the country’s progress. Photo courtesy: Amran Hossain

The newly constructed 169km Dhaka-Jashore rail line, Bangladesh Railway’s biggest project costing around Tk 40,000 crore, will be inaugurated within two months by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Additionally, Railways Minister Zillul Hakim and Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury jointly launched commuter trains on the Dhaka-Bhanga-Rajbari route, named Bhanga Commuter and Chandana Commuter respectively. Photo: Collected