Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated the first ever digital ticketing system for city dwellers to travel in public buses.
She inaugurated the ticketing system through a video conference with the officials of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) and passengers from her official Ganabhaban residence.
The digital ticketing system of 'Rapid Bus Card' was introduced by Dhaka Transport Coordination Authorities (DTCA) with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The prime minister said the ticketing system would establish clearing house for integrating transport ticketing system in Dhaka City. The system would also make easy the life of the commuters, giving them a facility like developed countries to travel, she added.
Sheikh Hasina thanked Japan government for giving technical support to introduce the Bus Rapid Pass project as well as other major development project in Bangladesh.
The prime minister talked to a number of passengers of BRTC bus on Motijeel-Nabinagar route where the ticketing system has been introduced first.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Chief of Bangladesh Army General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq and Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Masato Watanabe were present on the occasion, conducted by principal secretary Najibur Rahman.
Later, the prime minister inaugurated the Mohipal Flyover project in Feni district which has been completed by 34 Engineering Construction Brigade of Bangladesh Army and Road and Highways Division.
About 660 metre long Mohipal Flyover constructed at Mohipal of Feni district connected Dhaka-Chittagong and Feni-Laxmipur National Highways.
The project at a cost of Taka 181.48 crore has been completed six month ahead of the schedule.
Inaugurating the flyover, the prime minister said the Mohipal section was a 'sorrow' for the travellers particularly for the inter-district passengers on this route. The flyover has been constructed considering their sufferings, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken initiatives to keep the highways across the country dedicated for inter-district buses and introduce separate subways for local commuters.
It will help reduce accident on the highways and make the travel more comfortable, she added.