Mass Transit System in Dhaka City Prof. Md. Shamsul Hoque Dr. Charisma F. Choudhury Department of Civil Engineering Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Workshop on Future Direction of Dhaka Urban Transport, March 11 2009 Outline Background Importance of mass transit system (MTS) Optimum MTS Existing MTS in Dhaka Key problems Road Rail Towards a state-of-the-art MTS Issues and challenges 2
Background 3 Importance of Mass Transit
Importance of Mass Transit Importance of Mass Transit
Importance of Mass Transit Established worldwide as an effective measure to reduce congestion Space efficient Energy efficient Equitable Sustainable Optimum MTS Accessible Reliable Affordable Efficient Sustainable
Attributes of a Well-organized MTS Route plan Well-planned routes Single player / route Integration with other modes Fixed schedule Minimum dwell time Simultaneous and quick boarding and alighting Priority Exclusive right of way and signal priority Land-use pattern Transit oriented development Demand responsive Frequency, size and capacity Attributes of a Well-organized MTS Route plan Well-planned routes Single player / route Integration with other modes Fixed schedule Minimum dwell time Simultaneous and quick boarding and alighting Priority Exclusive right of way and signal priority Land-use pattern Transit oriented development Demand responsive Frequency, size and capacity
Single Player / Route Franchised to a company/consortium Integration with Other Modes Multimodal complementarities
Integration with Other Modes (2) Access facilities Schedule Schedule based organized service Passenger information
Attributes of a Well-organized MTS Route plan Well-planned routes Single player Integration with other modes Fixed schedule Minimum dwell time Simultaneous and quick boarding and alighting Priority Exclusive right of way and signal priority Land-use pattern Transit oriented development Demand responsive Frequency, size and capacity Boarding and Alighting Multiple wide door Low deck and step less Off-board/ non-intrusive ticketing
Multiple Wide Door Low Deck Step less boarding from a raised platform
Low Deck (2) Accessible to disabled Off-board/ Non-intrusive Ticketing Smart card ticket system Fully automated entry and exit detection
Attributes of a Well-organized MTS Route plan Well-planned routes Single player Integration with other modes Fixed schedule Minimum dwell time Simultaneous and quick boarding and alighting Priority Exclusive right of way and signal priority Land-use pattern Transit oriented development Demand responsive Frequency, size and capacity Exclusive Right of Way At-grade bus lane Grade separated right-ofway
Signal Priority Preemption and green extension Attributes of a Well-organized MTS Route plan Well-planned routes Single player / route Integration with other modes Fixed schedule Minimum dwell time Simultaneous and quick boarding and alighting Priority Exclusive right of way and signal priority Land-use pattern Transit oriented development Demand responsive Frequency and size
Transit Oriented Development Encourage transit usage Dense, compact, mixed- use development Maximize accessibility Promote cycling and walking Attributes of a Well-organized MTS Route plan Well-planned routes Single player Integration with other modes Fixed schedule Minimum dwell time Simultaneous and quick boarding and alighting Priority Exclusive right of way and signal priority Land-use pattern Transit oriented development Demand responsive Frequency, size and capacity
Demand Responsive Fleet management Demand Responsive (2) Change in level of demand Change in frequency Supply and capacity adjustment
Demand Responsive (2) Supply adjustment Demand Responsive (3) Capacity adjustment
Demand Responsive (3) Capacity adjustment!! Existing MTS in Dhaka 32
Overview Main road based public transport modes Bus Double decker Single deck large bus Minibus Collective transport (staff bus, school/college/university bus) Rail Supplemented by para-transits Tempo/maxi Auto-rickshaw Taxi Rickshaw Overview of Bus System A small proportion of vehicle numbers : 11.5% Carry a huge part of the population: 77% (according to STP) Occupy 4.4% of road space Between 1995 and 2006 Number of buses increased by 137.29% Number of mini buses increased by 23.02% Total number of main routes Route length < 200 km Sources: STP 2004, DITS 1994, BRTA 2007
Existing MTS: Modal Comparison Mode Average route length Average travel speed (km/hr) Average Boarding (Passenger) Passload at max. point Average Stops Double 17.81 17.22 100.76 83.71 13.67 Decker Large bus 14.7 13.7 89.6 44.9 12.3 Private bus 13.5 20.9 44.4 43.4 7.8 Mini bus 20.12 17.14 79.27 39.1 16.56 Source: STP 2004 Key Problems 1. Land-use and roadway deficiencies 2. Operational weaknesses 3. Vehicular and infrastructural deficiencies 4. Institutional limitations
1. Land-use and Roadway Deficiencies Limited roadway space Not more than 9% Lack of accessible road Only 107km > 24m width Land-use Absence of East-West connector roads Inadequate number of bus bays and other facilities Lack of covered bus stops, transfer facilities etc. 2. Operational Weaknesses Route plan Deficient route plan Fragmented ownership Absence of fixed schedule No passenger info Mixed operation with no priority for MTS No separate right of way or signal priority Uncontrolled side friction Personnel training Safety issues Enforcement issues
2. Operational Weaknesses Route plan Deficient route plan Fragmented ownership Absence of fixed schedule No passenger info Mixed operation with no priority for MTS No separate right of way or signal priority Uncontrolled side friction Personnel training Safety issues Enforcement issues Existing Bus Route
Existing Bus Route Fragmented Ownership Numerous small operators No consortiums/ consolidations Owned by individuals 57.60% Owned by small operators 42.40%
Fragmented Ownership (2) Multiple operators competing in same route Fragmented Ownership (3) Often leads to fierce competition
Fragmented Ownership (4) Resulting in inefficient road use Fragmented Ownership (5) Contributing to reduction in junction capacity and increased congestion
Fragmented Ownership (6) Increases dwell time Not getting benefit of off-board ticketing system Fragmented Ownership (7) and poses risks to users
2. Operational Weaknesses Route plan Fragmented ownership Deficient route plan Absence of fixed schedule No passenger info Mixed operation with no priority for MTS No separate right of way or signal priority Uncontrolled side friction Personnel training Safety issues Enforcement issues 2. Mixed Operation No priority No separate right of way No signal preemption
2. Operational Weaknesses Route plan Fragmented ownership Deficient route plan Absence of fixed schedule No passenger info Mixed operation with no priority for MTS No separate right of way or signal priority Uncontrolled side friction Personnel training Safety issues Enforcement issues Personnel Training Drivers often do not have proper license Safety issues Indiscipline Leading to increased congestion and misuse of resources Passenger discrimination
2. Operational Weaknesses Route plan Fragmented ownership Deficient route plan Absence of fixed schedule No passenger info Mixed operation with no priority for MTS No separate right of way or signal priority Uncontrolled side friction Personnel training Safety issues Enforcement issues Enforcement Issues Fare discrimination False driving license Illegal parking
3. Vehicular and Infrastructural Deficiencies Non standard vehicles Simultaneous boarding and alighting not possible 3. Vehicular and Infrastructural Deficiencies High decks Make boarding and alighting more difficult
3. Vehicular and Infrastructural Deficiencies High decks Often not accessible to disabled 3. Vehicular and Infrastructural Deficiencies Poor maintenance Safety concerns
3. Vehicular and Infrastructural Deficiencies Absence of proper waiting/ transfer facilities 4. Institutional Deficiencies Main players Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB) Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Rajdhani Unnayan Katripakkha (RAJUK) Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Other players Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Department of Environment (DOE) Bangladesh Railway (BR)
4. Institutional Deficiencies (2) Distinction of responsibilities/jurisdictions often unclear/overlapping DCC-RAJUK DCC-DTCB No coordination No cooperation Rail as Urban Transport 10 existing stations North (Tongi-Kamalapur) 23 km 16 at grade crossings Good track condition Carries minimal local traffic South (Narayongonj-Kamalapur) Primarily devoted to local traffic Fair track condition 20 passenger trains/day Grossly underutilized Towards Tangail/ Mymensingh Towards Narshindi/ Bhairav
Key Problems Significant speed reduction At grade crossings Due to side friction Towards a State-of-the-art System 64
Vision How do we want to see the urban transportation system of Dhaka City in 2020? An automobile prioritized system with thousands of cars stuck in traffic for hours? OR A sustainable transport system with a strong mass transit network supplemented by other modes? Proposed Strategic Transport Plan (STP) Blend of BRT and Metro 3 BRT lines 3 Metro lines (60 km long) Complemented by an extensive road development program
STP Proposal for MTS Issues and Challenges BRT will be difficult to implement in already built-up areas, particularly in central Dhaka Existing roads not wide enough Widening not possible Parts of Yellow Line in Old Dhaka Numerous bends Staggered junctions
Issues and Challenges (2) Over ground / elevated Metro will be also difficult to implement in central parts of Dhaka Is underground Metro the only solution for central and old Dhaka? Cut and cover method may not be applicable Will lead to huge increase in cost of construction Need uninterrupted power supply to ensure smooth operation Issues and Challenges (3) Construction Cost Comparison System Capacity Power $/km BRT* 5-35k CNG 5m LRT 5-15k Electric 20-30m MRT 20-60k Electric 50-150m Is it possible to finance the construction? Will the users be able to afford the fare? What is the current Willingness-to-pay and Value of Time?
Issues and Challenges (4) Institutional issues New agency for managing MTS? Coordination with other agencies Issues and Challenges (5) How to integrate BRT and Metro with existing system? Must be complementary to other transit options Restrict route of traditional transit vehicles? Will there be enough incentive for car users to shift to transit? Carrot and stick approach? Make MTS very attractive Excellent level of service: reliability, travel time Make cars more unattractive Parking restriction, car-registration fee increase etc. Must be integrated with land-use plan
Issues and Challenges (6) Way to go Need extensive investigation Supported by detailed data Questions? 74
Appendix 75 Reasons for Using Bus Cheaper 73% Reliable 31% Time saving 21% Convenience 22% Safer 22% Comfort 26% No other transport 69% Parking problems 10% Other 1% Source: STP 2004
Existing MTS: Modal Comparison Mode Passengers boarding at peak hours (nos.) Load factor Journey speed (km/hr) Fare demand (Tk/km) Double 102 1.4 15.5 0.25 Decker Single 77 1.5 15.5 0.25 Deck bus Mini bus 42 1.2 18.3 0.37 Collective Transport 77 1.5 15.5 0.25 Source: STP 2004 Proposed Routes Line 1 Uttara- ZIA- Pragat Sarani- Malibag- Outer Ring Road - Kamalpur Station- Saidabad Bus Terminal; later extended to Gazipur in the north Narayanganj in the south Line 2 Gabtali Bus Station/Ferry Landing Stage Dhanmondi- Zahir Rahan Sarani Road - Saidabad Bus Terminal ; later extended tosavar in the west and Narayanganj in the south Line 3 ZIA- Mohakhali Bus Terminal- Ramna. anti- clockwise loop based on College Road, Phoenix Road and Nazrul Islam Sarani. extended into the old city area (Kazi Alauddin Road, Nawab Yusef Road, Islampur Road. Johnson Road, English Road and North South Road. extended to Gazipur in the north
Proposed Routes (2) Line 4 Uttara,-ZIA- Cantonment Area at the north of Airport Road.-Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Mogh Bazar, Khilgaon and Kamlapur Station-Saidabad Bus Station Line 5 Gulshan Pragat Sarani-Kamal Ataturk Kafrul- Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi,Tejgaon (Farmgate)- Rampura -Badda and Gulshan Line 6 Pallabi-Begum Rokeya Sarani-Farm Gate- Sonargaon Hotel-Hatir Pool-Plassey-Fulbaria-Hatkhola- Saidabad Bus Terminal. (? Old City area- Sadar Ghat) Requirements of Successful Implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Required Feature of Ideal BRT System Dedicated bus corridors with strong physical separation from other traffic lanes. Modern bus stops that are more like bus stations, with pre-board ticketing and comfortable waiting facilities. Feasibility In Central Dhaka X X In Outer Dhaka Large, high-capacity, comfortable buses, preferably low-emission. Bus prioritization at intersections, either as signal priority or physical avoidance (e.g. underpasses). Coordination with operators of smaller buses and Para transit vehicles to create new feeder services to the bus station. Integrated ticketing that allows free transfers, if possible across transit companies and modes (bus, tram, metro).
Requirements of successful implementation of BRT (cont) Required Feature of Ideal BRT System Feasibility In Central Dhaka In Outer Dhaka Use of GPS or other locator technologies with a central control area that manages bus location at all times and facilitates rapid reaction to problems. Real-time information displays on expected bus arrival times. Good station access for taxis, pedestrians and cyclists, and? adequate storage facilities for bikes. New regimes for bus licensing, regulation and compensation of operators. Land-use reform to encourage higher densities close to BRT X stations. Park and ride lots for stations X