Coronavirus and COVID-19, the two terms have changed the world and the social system in the blink of an eye. Too many everyday things have become extremely unusual. Even the usual occurrence of shaking hands is now unacceptable. If we talk about our medium of commute, no one would ever claim that the public transportation system of Dhaka was world-class. And just like everything else in urban life, our public transportation system has also been affected by this pandemic. The scene of people crowded inside local buses is now rare. People are slowly starting to think of different alternatives. The government has also taken various initiatives including ensuring social distancing on buses and making train ticketing completely online. Today we will explore public transportation in Dhaka and this changed situation.
How Is Public Transportation in Dhaka At Present?
From March 26 to May 31 this year, all types of public transportation in the country were off. Since then, buses, trains, and motor launches have started running again but at a limited scale and according to social distancing rules. This situation is ongoing. Where there was no place to stand on buses before the lockdown, now there is an empty seat beside each passenger in public transportations. This change in people’s thinking was unimaginable even just a few months ago. Many buses in Dhaka are running empty now whereas getting on a bus was near impossible due to the pressure of a crowd. In most cases, CNGs aren’t carrying more than one passenger at a time. People have started thinking of alternative ways to go from one place to another.
The Status of Ridesharing Apps Like Shohoz, Uber, Pathao
The ridesharing services were closed for some time even after public transports were running again. However, in the face of strong demand, recently regulators have allowed some ridesharing to reinitiate. So, Uber and other ridesharing services that provide ride-sharing services by car have started to follow the social distancing rules applicable to them. Motorcycle ride-sharing has not yet been permitted. However, the rental agreement is still available to move different motorcycles from one place to another. Rickshaws have been stopped in many areas of the capital like the Bashundhara Residential Area. As a result, people are using rented motorcycles for transportation, which is an unofficial type of ride-sharing.
Bicycles and Scooters: Excellent Ways of Maintaining Social Distancing
People always adapt to change. It is a unique feature of mankind that sets us apart from anything else. That is why in this age of social distancing, people are adjusting themselves in various ways. An example of this is the increase in bicycles on the streets. Like the rest of the world, many people in Dhaka are becoming more and more interested in bicycle commuting.
Bicycle shops and groups are now bustling, with many buying bicycles and becoming enthusiastic about traveling. Though this isn’t exactly a new trend in the country, the numbers have gone up drastically recently. The distance from home to work is 5 to 10 kilometers for most people living in Dhaka city. And it is very reasonable to cover this distance on a bicycle every day. And the roads are now quite empty as there is less traffic. Besides, there are no better means of transportation than bicycles for short distances while maintaining social distancing rules. All in all, bicycles have become very popular for movement and commuting in this changed situation.
There are also motorbikes and scooters for those who travel long distances and do not feel comfortable riding a bicycle. Scooters have gained popularity quickly due to their slightly lower weight, lower oil consumption, and easier control. As a result, seeing the number of bicycles and scooters increase in public transportation in Dhaka should not be much of a shock.
Future Thoughts
COVID-19 disease is changing our familiar society for good. Many common parts of our lives may change drastically in the post-COVID world. Therefore, we have to prepare for the future from now on. If you can’t ride a bike or a scooter, you should learn immediately. Now is the best time to get rid of all the hesitation if you don’t want to travel by bus and other relatively unhealthy public transport vehicles. Because the idea of public transportation in Dhaka is changing drastically. Bicycles, scooters, and various online services will become more popular.
How will you travel in these changing and challenging times? Let us know in the comments section.
