Politics
Dhaka's New Transport Bill Raises Fares, Reshapes Bus and Metro Routes
The bill passed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Assembly will change daily travel costs and service availability for residents who rely on buses and the metro starting in August.
How we reported this
The Dhaka Metropolitan Assembly passed the Public Transport Integration Bill 2026 on 3 July. The legislation merges separate bus and metro fare structures into one system and requires operators to accept a single smart card across routes. It directly affects residents who travel between residential areas such as Mirpur and commercial zones such as Motijheel.
Why the changes take effect now
The bill responds to rising operational costs reported in the 2025-26 city budget papers. Fuel price adjustments and maintenance backlogs on existing lines prompted the assembly to approve the measure before the new fiscal quarter begins. Policy analysts note that the timing aligns with the annual review of transport subsidies listed in the Dhaka City Corporation financial statements.
Residents who use multiple modes of transport each day will no longer purchase separate tickets. The single card system covers buses operated by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation and the metro lines managed by the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited. Local advocates note that households spending a portion of monthly income on fares will see the combined cost calculated under the new integrated rate table rather than separate operator charges.
Effects on household budgets and access
A family living in Uttara that sends two members to jobs in Gulshan will calculate fares under the new structure instead of adding individual bus and metro charges. The legislation states that peak-hour caps apply after the card records four trips in one day. Evening shift workers at garment factories near Tejgaon will have the same cap applied if they return after 8 pm.
The bill allocates funds from the transport authority's existing revenue line to install card readers at 180 additional bus stops by December 2026. The government says the policy will reduce transfer times at major intersections such as Farmgate and Shahbagh once readers are in place.
Next steps include operator training sessions scheduled for the last two weeks of July and public information sessions at city corporation ward offices. Residents can register for the smart card at designated booths starting 15 July, with the integrated fares taking effect on 1 August.