Transport in Dhaka

Transport in Dhaka
Turag Commuter train of Bangladesh Railway
Ferry across Buriganga River
Metro rake of MRT Line 6
Overview
Area servedGreater Dhaka
LocaleDhaka Metropolitan Area
Transit typeRapid transit, commuter rail, bus, taxicab and ferry
Operation
Operator(s)Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority

Transport in Dhaka consists of a mixture of cars, buses, rickshaws, motorcycles, and pedestrians, all vying for space in an environment where congestion is a daily challenge. The average traffic speed is 4.8 kilometres per hour (3.0 mph), the slowest in the world, and congestion was estimated to cost the economy US$6.5 billion in 2020.

Dubbed "the rickshaw capital of the world," cycle rickshaws are the most popular and ubiquitous mode of transport in Dhaka, preferred for their affordability and ability to navigate narrow streets. The bus system in the city is disorganised, with hundreds of different companies serving various parts of the city using buses often characterised as unfit and uncomfortable. Motorcycles are rapidly gaining popularity as a personal transport mode, partly due to online ride-sharing services. Despite this, car ownership remains among the lowest in Asian cities.

Efforts to address these transportation issues have been ongoing, with various initiatives aiming to improve the efficiency and sustainability of Dhaka's transport network. Major projects, such as the construction of metro rail systems, flyovers, and dedicated bus lanes, are underway to alleviate the traffic burden and provide more reliable public transit options.