Sheik Moinuddin, special assistant to the chief adviser, said that the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation was preparing to commence the procurement process for 340 new single decker CNG-powered air-conditioned buses soon.
This project aims to mitigate the transportation crisis within Dhaka city and across the country while promoting eco-friendly transportation.
The initiative involves a project cost of approximately Tk 1,133.46 crore. Funding is derived from two key sources, the government of Bangladesh, contributing Tk 304.83 crore, and a loan from the economic development cooperation fund of South Korea, covering Tk 828.63 crore.
BRTC officials anticipated that an international tender would be called within one month, with the entire procurement scheduled for completion by December 2027.
Talking to BSS, Sheik Moinuddin said that the government was strongly focusing on environment friendly transportation across the country.
鈥榃hile there is a current focus on e-buses and developing the necessary infrastructure, the immediate plan is the procurement of these eco-friendly CNG buses,鈥� he said.
He said the current outdated BRTC buses will be replaced with these 340 new buses, ensuring reliable and comfortable public transport for both city and intercity routes, while promoting eco-friendly transportation.
BRTC chairman Abdul Latif Mollah said the procurement project is being implemented through financial contributions from two key sources, GoB and the South Korean EDCF fund.
鈥楥urrently, various documents and proposals related to the procurement are awaiting approval from the Korean Exim Bank. After approval, tender will be called,鈥� he added.
He said that these vehicles will enable reliable and comfortable public transport services on both city and intercity routes.
鈥極ut of the 340 new buses, 140 will operate within Dhaka city while the remaining 200 buses will run inter-city,鈥� he added.
He said the project aligns with the government鈥檚 sustainable development goals, particularly SDG-11.2, which aims for safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transportation systems.
The addition of the luxury, environmentally friendly buses aims to improve the quality of public transportation for passengers, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, he added.
