Futuristic Dhaka cityscape with free-flowing buses and congested cars, symbolizing the benefits of prioritizing public transport.

Dhaka's Traffic Fix: How Smarter Buses Can Beat Gridlock

Samir D’Costa in Business & Economy August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlocking Dhaka's potential: Why prioritizing public transport is key to easing traffic congestion and boosting economic growth."

Dhaka, one of the world's fastest-growing megacities, faces an immense challenge: crippling traffic congestion. Over the past few decades, its metropolitan population has exploded, soaring from 3 million in 1971 to around 18 million today. This rapid growth has placed immense strain on the city's infrastructure, leading to traffic jams that can last for hours.

The situation is projected to worsen. Over a twenty-year time-span beginning from 2015, Dhaka's population is expected to jump by another 50%, reaching a milestone of 26 million in 2035. Without significant changes, the already strained transport system risks complete gridlock, threatening the city's economic vitality and the well-being of its residents.

But what if there was a better way forward? A new study suggests that prioritizing public transport, particularly buses, could be the key to unlocking Dhaka's traffic woes. This approach promises not only to ease congestion but also to stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life for millions.

The High Cost of Congestion

Futuristic Dhaka cityscape with free-flowing buses and congested cars, symbolizing the benefits of prioritizing public transport.

Dhaka's traffic congestion isn't just an inconvenience; it's a significant economic drain. The average traffic speed in Dhaka is a snail-paced 6.4 kph. If vehicle growth continues unchecked, this could plummet to a mere 4.7 kph by 2035 – slower than walking speed.

The root causes of this problem are twofold: inadequate planning over past decades and an over-reliance on private cars due to a deficient public bus system. Ironically, despite cars outnumbering buses by a significant margin (33 times more cars), they account for only 13% of passenger transportation, while buses handle a staggering 49%.

A study pointed out that traffic related woes are:

Too many cars on the roads.
Inadequate public transport.
Poor urban planning.
Economic losses due to delays.

To address these issues, the Government of Bangladesh commissioned a Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP) in 2014-15. This ambitious plan proposed building five metro railway lines, two rapid bus routes, and 1,200 kilometers of new roadways, with a total public outlay of approximately Taka 351,000 crore over a 20-year period. While comprehensive, an alternative approach focusing on buses might offer a more efficient and cost-effective solution.

A Call for Change

Robert Gallagher's analysis provides a compelling case for prioritizing public transport in Dhaka. By embracing a bus-centric approach, Dhaka can alleviate traffic congestion, boost its economy, and create a more livable city for its residents. The path forward requires a shift in priorities, strategic investments, and a commitment to creating a sustainable and efficient transport system that serves the needs of all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3329/jbt.v11i1.34247, Alternate LINK

Title: Prioritising DhakaS Urban Transport System

Subject: Materials Chemistry

Journal: Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka)

Publisher: Bangladesh Journals Online (JOL)

Authors: Robert Gallagher

Published: 2017-10-09

Everything You Need To Know

How does Dhaka's traffic congestion impact its economy?

Dhaka's traffic congestion is a major economic drain because the average traffic speed is incredibly slow, around 6.4 kph. Projections estimate this could decrease to 4.7 kph by 2035 if vehicle growth remains unchecked. This congestion leads to significant economic losses due to delays and reduced productivity.

What are the key components of the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP) for Dhaka?

The Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP), commissioned in 2014-15, proposes an extensive overhaul of Dhaka's transport infrastructure. It includes building five metro railway lines, two rapid bus routes, and 1,200 kilometers of new roadways, with a total public investment of approximately Taka 351,000 crore over 20 years. While comprehensive, some argue that prioritizing and focusing on buses might offer a more efficient and cost-effective solution.

What are the primary factors contributing to the severe traffic congestion in Dhaka?

The root causes of Dhaka's crippling traffic congestion are twofold: inadequate urban planning over several decades and an over-reliance on private cars due to a deficient public bus system. Although cars significantly outnumber buses, buses handle a much larger percentage of passenger transportation.

What does Robert Gallagher's analysis suggest for improving Dhaka's traffic situation?

Robert Gallagher's analysis suggests prioritizing public transport, especially a bus-centric approach, to alleviate traffic congestion, boost Dhaka's economy, and improve the city's livability. This involves strategic investments and a commitment to creating a sustainable and efficient transport system. The bus-centric approach is considered an efficient and cost effective solution.

What are the implications of focusing solely on public transport improvements without addressing the number of private cars on Dhaka's roads?

While the focus is on improving the bus system and other public transport options, the implications of not addressing the root cause of 'too many cars on the roads' could undermine the effectiveness of these improvements. A comprehensive strategy might need to consider policies that discourage private vehicle use in conjunction with improving public transport.