Dhaka, Nov 12 The government has decided to introduce 'articulated bus' service in Dhaka this year to ease public transport crisis.
Consisting of two coaches joined together, an articulated bus is generally 15-feet larger than the size of regular buses, with a capacity to carry passengers twice the regular buses.
Urban planners have, however, cautioned of a chaos in traffic if separate lanes are not established for the long buses.
Roads Division Acting Secretary M A N Siddique told bdnews24.com, Dhaka would see 25 to 30 articulated buses plying on the city's streets by this December.
"Order has been placed with India's Ashok Leyland Company for producing 50 articulated buses. The buses will be on roads by January (next year)."
"The bus is especially designed for carrying passengers in addition to its sitting capacity. It will work well as a mode of public transport," he said.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Chairman Ayubur Rahman told bdnews24.com the buses would have 58 seats each.
According to him, although the bus is of the size of two regular buses, it requires only 0.25 metre of extra space for taking a turn.
But Acting Director of Accident Research Institute of Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology Md Shamsul Hoque said the second part of the bus could collide with other buses if drivers were not well-trained.
He felt a dedicated lane should be constructed for ensuring a risk-free ride on these buses.
According to Wikipedia, articulated bus was first introduced in European countries in 1920, and their length ranges between 18 and 22 metres.
Roads Division's Siddique said lanes would be demarcated for vehicles plying on various routes by the middle of next year.
"Some roads in Dhaka will be selected for construction of by-lanes on either side."
The service would be increased if commuters found it comfortable and convenient, he added.
"If people respond positively, the bus may ply between Dhaka and its adjacent areas like Manikganj, Gazipur and Narayanganj also," Siddique added.
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