Blaming successive governments for not providing any kind of support for the private sector bus services, transport leaders have demanded the present government's cooperation to introduce first franchise-system bus service in the city by them on pilot basis with some policy supports.

While sharing opinions with members of the Reporters for Rail and Road (RRR) at Dhaka Transport Owners Association office on Wednesday, they said tax rebate, lower bank interest and increased life of imported buses can help them import buses from Europe or Japan within three months.

They also believed introducing electric vehicles with low cost can be possible to start operating in the city shortly.

"All public transports including metro rail and traditional trains are operated with subsidies but the city bus service never received any support while all are trying to survive with low income," said DTOA General Secretary Mohammad Saiful Alam.

Claiming that the association leaders know transport business and can continue those, he said that the government's cooperation is needed to increase the life of imported buses from five years to 12 years as many reconditioned buses of Europe and Japan are in good condition and can serve for longer in the city.

Some 200 to 500 buses can be operated on the pilot route if some provisions in the bus import policy are relaxed, Saiful added.

DTOA's President MM Baten, Treasurer ASM Ahammed Khokon and founder President SM Sohrab Hossain were present. RRR President Anowar Hossain and General Secretary Tawhidul Islam spoke on the occasion

Saiful Alam who is also Secretary General of Bangladesh Transport Owners Association sought the government's cooperation and the city corporation's support to remove illegal bus counters and set up genuine ones and said investment regarding the parts like drivers training, electronic ticketing and electronic board can be of their responsibility.

The leaders talked freely overall city transport sector and held responsible for their roles as well as police, city corporation and government in creating city's chaotic, ill discipline, corrupt transport system services.

All agreed the need for reform with franchise system bus service in the city which was few years ago they opposed.

They also admitted that the existing bus companies hardly follow company rules despite registered under Joint Stock Company but blamed the authorities concerned not to take any action against them though any audit, income-loss were ever shared by them.

smunima@yahoo.com