Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): What Is It and Why Do We Need It for Dhaka?

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, is growing rapidly with an estimated population of more than 15 million. The city's transport system is characterized by the critical and deteriorated traffic congestion and the poor public transport services: inefficiency, poor quality of services, and lack of reliability and safety for commuters. In addressing the enormous public transport challenges and for achieving sustainable urban transport in Dhaka, the Strategic Transport Plan (STP) suggested the development of six major corridors as mass transit routes including three Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors. In this paper an attempt has been made to discuss the concepts, needs, and opportunities of the BRT system. The paper in particular highlights Dhaka's transport problem characteristics and the potentials of the implementation of BRT system for enhanced and improved public transport services in Dhaka.