DU students endure risks, hardship commuting in 35-yrs-old buses

Dhaka University (DU), the country’s leading educational institution, is facing a severe transport crisis as students and staff are forced to travel daily in buses over 35 years old, many of which are banned and unsafe. These outdated vehicles operate without valid fitness certificates and fail to meet emission standards, contributing to environmental pollution while putting commuters at serious risk of accidents and discomfort.

The university administration attributes the crisis to budget constraints and financial difficulties in maintaining and repairing the fleet. However, allegations of mismanagement, irregularities in bus allocation, discrimination, and violations of laws and international safety standards have also surfaced.

According to Md Shafiqur Rahman Molla, assistant transport manager of DU, renewing fitness certificates for such old buses is nearly impossible, and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has banned their operation. Despite this, the buses remain on the roads.

Out of the university’s 23 buses, only 14 are operational, with 13 running on regular routes, while nine are out of service. Basic repairs cost around Tk 700,000 to 800,000 monthly, and advanced repairs require separate tenders, pushing the total repair cost beyond the allocated budget.

The university’s transport pool also includes microbuses, jeeps, ambulances, and government-donated vehicles reserved mainly for officials, highlighting administrative inequalities. Drivers face pay disparities compared to higher officials, and there are frequent allegations of university vehicles being used for personal purposes despite policies against it.

Legally, all vehicles must have valid fitness certificates under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance of 1983, a condition nearly impossible to meet for vehicles this old unless manipulated. BRTA guidelines also discourage using public buses older than 20 to 25 years.

Additionally, these buses reportedly violate emission limits under the Environment Protection Act of 1995 and fall short of international safety and environmental standards set by the UN and WHO.

Although some old buses have been marked for auction, at least one bus with serial number 4166 is still in active service despite BRTA’s ban. The ongoing use of these buses poses significant safety and environmental threats, demanding immediate intervention from both university authorities and government agencies to upgrade the fleet, enforce regulations, and ensure transparent management to protect the university community.