[sustran] Re: government is planning to restrict the movement of privatecars in Dhaka to reduce nagging traffic jam.

[SAM Aminul Hoque]

Dhaka city has its "own brain". Many transport system would not survive in most 
of the other parts of the world but for Dhaka they are in operations. Traffic 
are running there in a Mix traffic situation. Within Dhaka, the number of 
transport mode in operation are not straight -like A) Bicycle & motorcycle, B) 
Car, C) bus, D) Goods vehicle light & heavy E) Rail

(small occupancy -1to2 +/-persons)
1 Bicycle
2 Non-motorized (rickshaw three wheelers)
3 car, jeep, 4x4
4 Private taxi 
5 Motor cycle 


(medium occupancy -10 +/-persons)
6 Auto-rickshaw (Mishuk, CNG, etc.) --like private taxi (mostly three-wheels)
7 Tempo (8-10 passengers) vehicle mostly either three or four wheels

large occupancy -40-90+/- persons
8 single decker bus both Air-conditioned (AC) and non-AC, 
9 double decker bus
10 Mini /midi bus both Air-conditioned (AC) and non-AC

Cargo & Goods
11 Non-motorized vehicle
12 Motorized Van & pick-ups
13 Medium and large Truck (HGV)

14 Plus Train (mostly inter-city travel

There might be more.


To me the subject above (on the subject of the mail) - I might be wrong 
but sounds like vocal 'stunt' or News media 'stunt'.  

I fully agree with most of the authors about the demand for the new large scale 
investment on Transport infra-structures as well as the supply chain logistics. 
The critical thing is to have 'sound' and 'stable' transport policy mostly 
involving Regulation and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority's willingness to 
implement that. How the City Authority would like to see the city in coming 
years is a big question to all of us!

Making a comment is easy but in practice for Dhaka (with strong pressure groups 
both political and business side in place) it is not easy to implement (agree 
with Lloyd Wright & Jonathan). We are waiting to see few mega transport projects 
within Dhaka and around in the pipe-line. For these pipe-line projects please 
contact,  Web: www.at-capital.com

I am hopeful to see better future within next five yrs.

Take care.



 
With kind regards,
 
SHAMSUL A. M. AMINUL HOQUE (PhD, M URP, B Arch)
Consultant Transport Planner for private company, UK





________________________________
From: Lloyd Wright <Lwright at vivacities.org>
To: Global 'South' Sustainable Transport <sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org>
Sent: Wed, 22 December, 2010 6:05:38
Subject: [sustran] Re: government is planning to restrict the movement of 
privatecars in Dhaka to reduce nagging traffic jam.

As the other commentators have noted, restricting private motorised vehicles
in Dhaka would be a highly positive development.  


However, the proposed mechanism would be problematic.  By requiring a
minimum of four passengers in a vehicle, a new industry would emerge where
individuals would be employed to ride in the vehicles for the mere sake of
meeting the quota.  The emergence of such street jockeys in Jakarta has
largely undermined its 3-in-1 programme.  In many cases, students abandon
school to be employed in this manner.

With regard to the new buses, this plan could also be problematic.  While
certainly Dhaka's fleet needs to be replaced, simply purchasing new buses
will likely act to further deter the move to a BRT system.  The new vehicles
will have the doors on the wrong side of the vehicle for the BRT system, and
thus will act as a wedge against a quality BRT in the future.  

And given that the buses will have a life in the Dhaka context of 15 to 20
years, the impact on the potential BRT system could be fatal.  Would it not
be better to use the proposed investment in a system that fully addresses
all the components of a quality public transport system (e.g. walkable
access to stations, quality and secure stations, dedicated lanes for public
transport, and vehicles that are compatible with a quality system)?
Furthermore, by operating in mixed traffic under the current conditions, the
"new" buses will largely be "old" buses within a few years.

Best regards,

Lloyd 

-----Original Message-----
From: sustran-discuss-bounces+lwright=vivacities.org at list.jca.apc.org
[mailto:sustran-discuss-bounces+lwright=vivacities.org at list.jca.apc.org] On
Behalf Of Jonathan Richmond
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 6:50
To: Lee Schipper
Cc: UTSG at jiscmail.ac.uk; Kanchan; cartcdc at yahoo.com; car free;
NewMobilityCafe at yahoogroups.com; carfree at lifesupportproductions.co.uk; Salil
Bijur; WorldTransport at yahoogroups.com; Global 'South' Sustainable Transport;
Lloyd Wright
Subject: [sustran] Re: government is planning to restrict the movement of
privatecars in Dhaka to reduce nagging traffic jam.



I also read the story in today's newspaper. Please note, however, that any 
attempt to restrict car movement in Dhaka's central city will require a 
consensus throughout government and complex legal and administrative 
procedures.

Regarding the buses, I have been developing BRT and general bus 
reorganization programmes here to try to radically improve service 
levels. However, now that consultants have been selected for a major 
BRT implementation study, the government has decided not to extend my 
contract -- hence my recent note to some of you to ask if any of you have 
ideas for my next assignment!

General bus purchases are necessary because Dhaka's bus fleet is in almost 
unbelievably poor condition. In fact, nowhere in the world have I seen 
buses that are quite so dilapidated. The buses are driven dangerously and 
there is very little maintenance. So getting something new is a start. 
However, work needs to be done to find ways to encourage the industry to 
maintain its fleet in better condition. There are financial and 
organizational constraints to accomplishing this, and they need to be 
overcome.

Best regards,

                           --Jonathan