Transport in Bangladesh

Bangladesh's formal transport system includes major highways, local roads, private buses, state bus services, railways, inland waterways, airports and informal services. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) regulates, among other things, driving licences, vehicle registration, technical fitness, fares and route permits for certain passenger vehicles. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) manages major roads and bridges; an official database record lists 118 National Highways with 4,409.301 kilometres, 156 Regional Highways with 5,106.892 kilometres and 724 Zilla Highways with 13,220.387 kilometres. Official database records may differ from one another. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and local administrations are responsible for many Upazila-, Union- and village-level roads, whose condition and year-round passability vary by region. Private buses predominate in urban and intercity transport; the state-owned Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) supplements the service. In Dhaka, the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) and other bodies coordinate transport planning. The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) metro operates on the service corridor from Uttara North to Motijheel; MRT Pass and Rapid Pass are used for it. The planned or implemented Bus Rapid Transit project BRT Line 3 is intended to connect Airport, Mohakhali, Ramna, Gulistan and Keraniganj over 22.4 kilometres with 16 stations, while its current status depends on current notices. Older World Bank and ADB surveys for Dhaka estimated the shares of buses at 47 percent, bicycle rickshaws at 16 percent, cars at 11 percent, motorcycles at 8 percent and walking at 5 percent; these figures are neither current nor transferable to all of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Railway provides train connections nationwide. To buy an online ticket, an account is created first; the travel date, departure and destination, class and seat are then selected. The official East and West timetables, applicable fare tables and current notices about changes and cancellations are authoritative. Launches, ferries and speedboats operate on inland waterways. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) operates and maintains many inland connections, terminals and dredging works; the Department of Shipping (DOS) oversees, among other things, vessel registration, technical surveys, crews, and safety and environmental requirements. Fare schedules list 46 passenger services in the Dhaka zone and 59 in the Narayanganj, Barishal, Patuakhali and Aricha zones. Departures, journey times and availability depend on water levels, weather, season and operator notices. At a landing place (ঘাট), launch and ferry services may be organised differently from those at major terminals. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) regulates airports, the air navigation manual and NOTAM notices. Bangladesh has three international airports and five listed operational domestic airports in Cox's Bazar, Rajshahi, Jashore, Saidpur and Barishal. Other airfields may require prior permission and do not necessarily offer regular service. Flight schedules and prices must therefore be checked with the relevant airline and using current airport information. Anyone driving a car or motorcycle independently must first obtain a learner's licence through the BRTA-BSP system and then complete the required examinations. Published baseline requirements state a minimum age of 18 for non-professional driving and 21 for professional driving; they also generally require at least completion of the eighth school grade, medical fitness, proof of identity and address, and written, oral and practical examinations. Vehicle registration requires BRTA application, ownership or import documents, an inspection and the prescribed fees; registration or a Digital Registration Certificate (DRC), a fitness certificate and a tax token then form part of the procedure. Commercial passenger vehicles additionally require a route permit (রুট পারমিট) where one is prescribed for the relevant service. Foreign drivers should carry an International Driving Permit together with a valid national driving licence; after twelve months, a Bangladeshi driving licence may be required for further driving, so the current rule should be checked before use. Bangladesh drives on the left. Drivers must obey traffic signs and signals, motorcyclists must wear helmets, and pedestrians should receive particular attention at marked crossings or footbridges. The vehicle, driver and commercial operation must have all licences, registrations, fitness, tax and permit documents required in the specific case; unlicensed, unfit or overcrowded vehicles must not be treated as a safe standard option. Bicycle rickshaws, CNG autorickshaws and taxis are often negotiated with or ordered through apps; payment in cash or through the relevant app depends on the provider and location. Fares are calculated in BDT or taka. Bus, train, metro and inland-waterway fares depend on the route and official fare list, while rickshaws, CNG autorickshaws and taxis may have a negotiated or app-based price; airfares vary according to the market and timing. Road travel times fluctuate greatly because of traffic jams, holidays, strikes, fuel supply and weather. Night travel, poor maintenance, unlicensed or inadequately trained drivers, overcrowded buses and weak pedestrian protection increase accident risk. On inland waterways, overcrowded or technically unsuitable vessels and missing safety equipment add further risks; the emergency number is 999. Transport causes exhaust emissions, black smoke, fine particulate matter, road dust and noise, with additional burdens from congestion. The National Air Quality Management Plan 2024–2030 of the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) provides, among other things, for stricter vehicle testing and maintenance as part of technical fitness, Vehicle Inspection Centers, restrictions on high-emission vehicles, expansion of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and improvements to buses, metro, walking and non-motorised transport. Whether a service operates, which documents apply and what price is charged should be checked immediately before travel with BRTA, Bangladesh Railway, DMTCL, BIWTA, CAAB or the relevant operator.