Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has taken the initiative to introduce environmentally friendly public transport in the country’s divisional cities including Dhaka. In the first phase, BRTC wants to run 100 electric buses. The company has requested an allocation of Tk 4 billion from the government to implement this project.
The proposal was made in a letter sent to the Finance Department from the BRTC branch of the Road Transport and Highways Department on Sunday (July 19). The proposal was sent in a letter signed by Ajit Deb, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Department.
The letter said that the Finance Ministry has been requested to provide a grant or equity allocation of Tk 400 crore for the purchase of 100 electric buses, installation of 25 charging stations and construction of necessary infrastructure in the initial phase. The initiative to add electric buses to the BRTC fleet has been taken with the aim of developing an environmentally friendly and sustainable public transport system in the country. The current government’s election manifesto has mentioned the addition of electric buses to the BRTC fleet as an urgent and timely step to implement the promise of establishing a modern and sustainable public transport system.
The Road Transport Department said that the introduction of electric buses will reduce air pollution, improve passenger service quality and reduce operating costs in the long term. To this end, a plan has been made to build approximately 100 electric buses, 25 charging stations and necessary equipment and infrastructure in the first phase. These buses are planned to operate on important routes in Dhaka as well as intercity routes in divisional cities.
According to sources from the Road Transport Department, the cost of purchasing 100 electric buses for BRTC has been estimated at Tk 250 crore. In addition, Tk 50 crore has been proposed for setting up 25 charging stations, Tk 35 crore for purchasing ancillary equipment and spare parts, Tk 20 crore for training and technical assistance, Tk 25 crore for transportation, registration and other expenses, and Tk 20 crore for development and repair of related facilities including depots. In all, the total potential cost of the project has been estimated at Tk 400 crore.
