United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has  suspended the registration of the rashly-driven bus that lost its roof  amid the driver’s desperate bid to escape after an accident. An office order signed by Sanaul Haque, Deputy Director of BRTA's Dhaka Metro Circle-2, was issued in this regard. According to the order, the registration of vehicle bearing registration number Dhaka Metro-B-14-9350 has been suspended under the Road Transport Rules 2022. BRTA, DMP launch drive to prevent movement of unfit buses during Eid The owner of the vehicle — the authorities of Prime Bank, Karwan Bazar Branch — have been asked to appear in-person at a hearing with the registration certificate, tax token, fitness certificate, route permit, and the driver’s licence. The office order said, on April 17, a bus named “Barishal Express” hit a private car on Kamarkhola rail flyover in Munshiganj’s Srinagar upazila. It then collided with a covered van severely damaging its front portion and causing panic to the driver. Seeing police and army vehicles behind, the driver reportedly drove more and the bus hit the expressway railing, causing the roof to detach and fall onto the road and leaving eight passengers injured.  

Do you use buses or public transport for commuting to nearby or long-distance destinations after evening? To ensure safety while traveling at night on buses or public transport, certain precautions should be followed. Do’s and Don’ts for Evening or Night-Time Travel on Public Transport . Plan Your Journey Ahead Planning your journey makes travel safer. If there is an option to book a bus or train ticket in advance, choose a seat in the middle. When traveling at night, it is best to avoid the window-side or rear seats of the bus. If possible, inform a trusted person about your travel details (destination, expected arrival time). Read more: How to Stay Safe from Devil's Breath Choose Reliable Transport Select a reliable bus or public transport for your journey. Use government-operated or recognized transport services. Check the bus or vehicle’s route and schedule in advance. If using an app-based ride-sharing service (such as Uber, or Pathao), verify the vehicle details before boarding. Keep Your Location Private Nowadays, many people share their daily activities and personal information on social media, which can increase risks for traveling at night. Avoid sharing personal details with strangers. If possible, share your live location with family or friends while traveling. Read more: Safety Tips for Solo Female Travellers Stay Alert and Observe Your Surroundings Avoid conversation with unfamiliar or suspicious individuals and do not share personal information. Even if you are busy, do not focus entirely on your mobile phone; be aware of your surroundings. If you notice anything suspicious or feel uncomfortable, inform the bus driver or fellow passengers. Avoid Crowded Vehicles If a vehicle is overly crowded or the situation seems suspicious, it is better not to board. Keep important belongings such as your wallet, phone, or bag close to you. Carry Essential Self-Defense Items For self-defense, carry small safety tools (such as pepper spray, a whistle, a folding metal safety rod, etc). Keep your phone charged with mobile data so you can seek help if needed. Read more: How to Ensure Women's Safety in Educational Institutions Save Emergency Contacts Keep the contact numbers of local police, bus service helplines, and trusted persons easily accessible. In case of emergency, call 999 (Bangladesh’s emergency service). Do Not Accept Food from Strangers During travel, some passengers may offer food or drinks out of politeness or friendliness. However, criminals disguised as passengers sometimes mix chemicals in food to make travelers unconscious and then rob them. To avoid such risks, never consume food offered by strangers. Maintain Balance While Traveling When the bus or vehicle is moving, avoid standing up or moving suddenly. Hold onto a handle or support to prevent falling if the driver brakes suddenly. If possible, inform the bus assistant about your destination in advance so they can notify you when you reach your stop. Read more: Best Free Personal Safety Android, iOS Apps for Women Keep Your Mobile Phone Secure Many passengers scroll through social media on their mobile phones while traveling. This habit increases the risk of theft, especially if seated by the window. Unless necessary, avoid taking out your mobile phone and keep it secure in your pocket or bag until you reach your destination. Conclusion Many people travel by public transport in the evening or late at night due to personal, emergency, or professional reasons. By following the above safety precautions, nighttime travel can be made much safer. Read more: Essential Snake Safety Tips for Hiking, Trekking, Camping, and Traveling

Five days into a robbery on a Dhaka-Rajshahi night coach in Natore, another robbery was committed on a BRTC bus and a microbus in Patnitala upazila of Naogaon on Saturday night, blocking the road. Though more than 12 hours have already elapsed, police have not arrested anyone in this connection yet. Supervisor of the bus, Ratan Kumar Saha, said their vehicle left Rajshahi station for Niamatpur upazila of the district around 8:45pm. The bus slowed speed and stopped after noticing some logs lying on Nazipur-Sapahar regional road in between Manashi and Karamjhai areas around 11:45pm, he said. The microbus also stationed behind the bus seeing the blockaded road, he said. Robbery, ‘sexual assault on bus’; case filed after 3 days The musk-wearing robbers first broke windows of the bus and entered and snatched away money in cash, seven to eight mobile phones, and ornaments from the passengers, the supervisor said. The valuables worth around Tk 3 lakh were taken away from the bus passengers, Ratan said, adding that the robbers also attacked the microbus and snatched valuables from the driver. Patnitala police station’s officer-in-charge Enayetur Rahman said action would be taken if complaints are lodged in this regard. On Monday night, a robbery took place on a Dhaka-Rajshahi bus of Unique Road Royals’ "Amri Travels." The robbers hijacked the moving bus and kept it under their control for nearly three hours. In addition to the robbery, passengers alleged that female passengers were harassed during the incident. Officer-in-charge (OC) of Baraigram Police Station in Natore Sirajul Islam was closed and attached to the police lines for his alleged negligence in handling the robbery and harassment of two female passengers.

Four members of a family were killed and 15 others injured as a gas cylinder in an ambulance exploded after being hit by two buses in Savar on Dhaka-Aricha highway early Thursday. The deceased were identified as Faruk Hossain Siddique, 45, headmaster of Bhabon Datta Government Primary School in Ghatail upazila of Tangail district, his wife Mahsina Akter Sania, 38, his son Fuad Siddique, 14 and his sister-in-law Mahfuza Akter Shima, 35. Savar Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sougatul Alam said the ambulance caught fire around 2am as a bus of ‘Jhumur Paribahan’ crashed into it in front of Rajfulbaria Police Town and the fire engulfed the bus. Another bus of ‘Shyamoli Paribahn’ also hit the ambulance and the blaze engulfed two buses. Four people who were in the ambulance died on the spot, he said. A number of passengers of Shyamoli Paribahan jumped out of the bus through windows and suffered injuries. Eighty-two goats which were kept in the ‘Jhumur Paribahan’ bus were also burnt down, said deputy officer of Savar Fire Service and Civil Defence Manir Hossain. The injured were rescued and admitted to a hospital for treatment. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire after one hour. The bodies were sent to the Shaheed Suhrawardy Police Station in Dhaka for autopsy. Vehicular movement on Dhaka-Aricha highway remained suspended for two hours following the accident. A case was filed in this connection. Additional Deputy Inspector General of Highway Police Dr AKM Akhtaruzzaman Basunia said, "It seems that these goats belong to a businessman. He said it is illegal to bring animals in passenger buses. Necessary action will be taken after investigation.”

At least three people were killed and 20 others injured in a gas cylinder blast in a bus in Sadar upazila of Lakshmipur district early Monday. The deceased were identified as Suman Hossain, son of Batu Mia; Md Yusuf Mia and his brother Hridoy Hossain, sons of Sujamia. They hailed from Sadar Upazila's  Charmonsha and Banchanagar areas respectively. Among the injured were Suman Hossain, Rocky Islam, Muhammad Fahad Hossain, Siraj Mia, Hriday Islam, Shah Khan, and Abdul Malek. Ten of the injured were shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment. Read: Gazipur cylinder blast: Death toll rises to 17 Witnesses said that the explosion occurred at around 2 am at Green Life Filling Station in Muktiganj area when a Ramgati-bound bus of Meghna Paribahan was refueling. The blast left three people dead on the spot and injured 20 others. Al Amin, the manager of the filling station, said the victims were mostly CNG-run autorickshaw drivers and the injured included both bus and CNG drivers. Ranajit Kumar, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) department in Sadar upazila, said two firefighting units were sent  to the scene after receiving information. They recovered three bodies and rescued the injured. The bodies were sent to Sadar Hospital. Read more: 3 suffer burn injuries as gas cylinder blasts in Malibagh According to Kumar, the accident occurred due to the use of a substandard gas cylinder. Dr Joynal Abedin, resident medical officer of Sadar Hospital, said that the bodies were sent to morgue for autopsy while 10 injured to Dhaka for better treatment.

Dhaka’s ambitious Metro Rail service, connecting Uttara to Motijheel, has significantly impacted the traditional public transport ecosystem, especially affecting bus services on the Mirpur-Agargaon-Farmgate-Paltan route. The introduction of this modern transit option has led to a sharp decline in bus ridership, with operators reporting a 30-40% reduction in the number of buses on this route. Transport proprietors are bracing for a further decline in bus numbers as the warmer months approach, predicting that the allure of the metro’s air-conditioned comfort will draw even more commuters away from buses. The diminished appeal of buses, once a staple for Dhaka’s commuters, is particularly noticeable during peak metro operational hours, despite an observable decrease in traffic congestion. Read more: Quader provides update on Metro Rail extension till Tongi The potential extension of metro rail service hours beyond the current 7:10 am to 8:40 pm timeframe threatens to exacerbate the financial strain on bus operations, prompting owners to consider rerouting their fleets or selling them off. “From a daily tally of 500-600 buses, we’ve plummeted to just 300-400 buses on the Mirpur-Agargaon-Farmgate-Paltan route,” stated Md Shahjahan, Managing Director of Shikhor Paribahan, highlighting the scale of the downturn.

A passenger bus caught fire in the capital's Shahbagh area on Saturday night. The fire broke out at around 11:25 pm, said Mustazirur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Shahbagh Police Station. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire. The fire might have originated from a technical fault, added the OC. Police are investigating the matter, he said. However, no causalities were reported in the fire.

Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti (BJKS), a passengers' welfare platform, on Saturday (January 20, 2024) demanded the government introduce 5,000 new high-quality buses on the streets under a company with the government's management by removing existing rickety vehicles from the capital. Secretary General of the BJKS Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury raised the demand in a press conference organised at the city's Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday morning. In a written statement, he said that the current government has pledged that the country will join the ranks of developed countries by 2026. The government is determined to improve the public transport system in Dhaka and elsewhere. Quoting a JICA survey, the BJKS's secretary general said that there are currently 4 crore daily passenger trips in the capital. Consumer protection a top priority at DITF: Commerce State Minister There is a huge scope for transport business, and the transportation system of the city can be changed overnight through bus service if only extortion is stopped and dedicated bus lanes can be introduced, he said. There are examples of owning 600-800 buses of many transport companies in Bangladesh after they started plying on the streets with one bus. However, the state transport agency BRTC is not able to operate buses under its own management and is leasing them out to private individuals and institutions. The number of these buses is decreasing due to lack of maintenance, he added. Dutch NGOs reaffirm interests in Bangladesh He urged the government, instead of bureaucracy in the management of BRTC, if BRTC can be managed by appointing managers with technical knowledge and experience in managing bus companies from the international market. it will play a major role in the passenger transport sector besides making BRTC profitable, he said. The BJKS said that due to incompetence of leadership, inefficiency of management, lack of proper monitoring and monopolistic dominance of political contractors, corruption is going on. The new government has made political commitment to establish good governance in these sectors. ”We want to see the reflection of this commitment of the government by ensuring quality and accountability in every project involving road, rail, sea and air,” he added. Dengue claims two more lives

Navigating public transportation routes in this crowded city of Dhaka poses a challenge. The labyrinth of bus transit lines confounds both commuters from the city and from outside. Amidst this urban maze, the advent of cutting-edge mobile applications to find public transport makes life a bit easier. Let’s explore the useful mobile apps to find bus routes in Dhaka city. 6 Handy Mobile Apps to Locate Bus Routes in Dhaka Bus Route: Dhaka City It was launched on October 3, 2023. This app, developed by Puresoft Solutions, includes a comprehensive list of bus commute lines and integrates with Google Maps. The service was last updated on October 16. This smart solution provides a user-friendly experience by allowing users to select their starting point and destination. Additionally, passengers can conveniently check stations near their current location. This feature enables catching a desired bus from any nearby location, even without knowing the station's names. All station and bus movement information is directly accessible on Google Maps. The app offers language flexibility, allowing users to view content in both Bengali and English. Furthermore, users can change the interface's appearance to suit their preferences. The digital service, identified as version 1.1.1, is compatible with Android 5 and above. Over the last two months, it has garnered more than 5,000 downloads and earned a commendable 4.4-star rating from 54 reviews. This 11 MB Android application can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.  Read more: Top 10 Wallet Apps to Organize Finances Dhaka City Bus Route Launched on April 18, 2017, this mobile app, with a modest size of 4.2 MB, is a creation of 71 Lab. It stands out for its exceptional user-friendly search feature, allowing users the freedom to explore various routes without any limitations.  Beyond its primary function, the app enhances user experience by providing additional features such as directions to Dhaka's notable points of interest, crucial contact numbers for emergency services, and legal assistance. The mobile software's journey continues with its latest version, designated as version 15, which received an update on November 28, 2023. Offering compatibility with Android 4.4 and higher operating systems, the app has garnered significant attention. With a remarkable 50,000-plus downloads, it has earned a commendable 3.7-star rating given by a diverse user base of 270 reviews so far. Read more: Top 10 Free Video Editing Apps for iOS, Android Dhaka Bus Route Developed by Coderco, this Android app was launched on August 24, 2023. With a size of 5.8 MB, this app has quickly become a reliable database, encompassing not only local buses but also providing information on seating and counter buses. This app helps to locate of the public transport service in Dhaka The app's journey through versions continues, with the current version standing at 2.2, a steadfast continuation since the last update on November 27, 2023.  With a download count exceeding 1,000, the digital solution has garnered a favorable 4.3-star rating evaluated by a user community of 36 reviews.  To run this app, users need an Android 7.0 and above operating system on their phones. Read more: Youths showing the way in smart farming with apps Dhaka City Bus Routes This app by Ncosync has a download size of 14 MB. Launched on May 26, 2023, this app offers an expansive database, featuring over 156 buses and more than 287 route lists. This app's standout features include an effective search function and visuals of buses, providing users with a unique and comprehensive experience. Updated on August 26, 2023, the app, currently at version 11.0.0, has seen its downloads surpass 1,000 since its launch. Compatible with Android 5 and above, it has earned a respectable 3.5-star rating from 15 reviews. Read more: Best Ridesharing Apps in Bangladesh BD Bus Route With a download size of 6.1 MB, this app was released on November 14, 2021. Developed by the NewAgeDevs, this Android app allows users to view the routes of over 150 buses with ease. Its user-friendly interface has contributed to its impressive download count, exceeding 10,000. Featuring images of the vehicles, this app caters even to newcomers, providing a visual understanding of the various buses traversing the streets of Dhaka city. Having achieved a 3.6-star rating from 27 reviewers, the Android app was last updated on November 6, 2023, reaching version 1.1.2. Compatibility requires at least Android 5 for uninterrupted functionality. Read more: Top 5 Mobile Apps for Farmers in Bangladesh Kon Bus Kothay Jay (Dhaka City) Also known as Bus Route Info (Dhaka City), this 6.2 MB app by Global Digital Apps made its debut on the Google Play Store on November 25, 2021. The mobile software provides individual roadmaps for each bus company, offering users a comprehensive view of the diverse routes available. One of its notable features is the ability to show fares based on rates set by the national transport authority. This is made possible through a direct link to another digital service, 'Vara Koto? Bus Vara Talika,' also offered by Global Digital Apps. With a 3.6-star rating from 28 reviewers, the Android app has been downloaded more than 5,000 times. The current version, 2.2, was updated on August 14, 2023, requiring a minimum Android 5 operating system for smooth operation. Read more: Top 7 Truck Rental Apps in Bangladesh Verdict So far, we have discussed 6 Android apps to find bus routes in Dhaka city. All of these mobile apps focus on the feature of information on bus traffic across the city. However, 71 Lab's veteran solution has secured its position in the market due to maintaining a consistent update. NewAgeDevs and Global Digital Apps lead in terms of the highest number of downloads in the shortest period. Not having been updated very recently could pose a significant drawback for Global Digital Apps' app, as well as Ncosync's. Finally, if user preferences are considered, the apps developed by Coderco and Puresoft Solutions have great potential. Read more: 7 Food Delivery Apps for Dhaka

After a day of relative calm in Dhaka, unidentified arsonists in the capital set fire to five buses in Jatrabari, Gulistan, Gabtoli, near Notre Dame College and Mirpur, all after 9pm ahead of the 48-hour countrywide blockade to be enforced by BNP and like-minded opposition parties from tomorrow (Sunday, November 12, 2023) morning. Besides, a pick-up van was torched in Gazipur's Joydebpur area around 9:33pm. On information, two firefighting teams from Gazipur Fire Station rushed to the spot and are trying to tame the blaze, said Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence's media cell. Spate of bus burnings after dark in capital sets stage for tense blockade A Shomoy Niyontron bus was torched in front of Sundarban Square Super Market in Gulistan around 9:00pm, he said. Two firefighting units from Siddique Bazar Fire Station are working to put out the blaze, added the officer. Meanwhile, a bus of Anabil Paribahan was torched in front of a fruit market in Jatrabari around 9:27 pm. Two passenger buses set on fire in Dhaka on eve of fresh 48-hr blockade Two firefighting units from Postogola Fire Station reached the scene to douse the blaze, added the official. A Projapati Paribahan bus was set ablaze in Mirpur around 11.30pm. Two firefighting units from Mirpur Fire Station went to the spot to douse the fire, according to Talha bin Zasim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defence (media cell). Earlier, another passenger bus was set on fire in Gabtoli Bus Stand area, around the same time as the one near Notre Dame College. One more bus set on fire in Dhaka’s Mirpur