Buses older than 20 years soon to be removed soon: BRTA Chairman

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has announced plans to remove buses and trucks that are more than 20 years old from the country’s roads to improve safety and reduce accidents.

BRTA Chairman Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed made the announcement at an awareness program held at the Mohakhali Bus Terminal on Wednesday, stressing that it is impossible to ensure road safety as long as unfit vehicles continue to operate.

“Many lives have been lost on our roads due to unsafe vehicles,” he said. “That is why there is no alternative but to bar vehicles older than 20 years from running on the roads.”

Abu Momtaz said the government would launch a comprehensive campaign involving vehicle owners, workers’ associations, and other stakeholders to remove unfit vehicles. “This is not a one-day job, but we have already begun. The campaign will start very soon,” he added.

Addressing concerns about possible resistance from owners’ groups, the BRTA chairman said leaders of both owners’ and workers’ associations are involved in the initiative.

During the event, Abu Momtaz also distributed awareness leaflets to drivers, workers, and passengers at the Mohakhali Inter-District Bus Terminal.