Download This PaperA Study on Finding an Efficient Mode between Bus and Rail Services for Commuters living Outskirts of Dhaka
109 Pages Posted: 23 Mar 2020 Last revised: 21 Apr 2020
Date Written: June 6, 2013
Abstract
Dhaka city has been developing rapidly as a modern city and is throbbing with activities in all
spheres of life. It is the centre of economic, commercial and industrial activities for
Bangladesh. Many people from the outskirts travel to and from Dhaka on a daily basis to earn
their livelihoods. These commuters depend heavily on the public transport system for their
trips. Some prefer the rail while others prefer the bus to make their day-to-day journeys. In
many cities of the world, including Dhaka, there is ongoing debate over the relative
advantages of rail and bus transit investments. Rail transit can only serve a limited number of
stations, but those stations can stimulate intense development, with increased density
(residents, employees and business activity per acre), higher per capita transit ridership,
increased walking trips and lower per capita vehicle trips. However, bus transit has higher
accessibility. It can serve more destinations, including dispersed, suburban activity centers,
but attracts fewer riders per capita, and by itself has little or no effect on land use patterns.
Rail has lower costs per passenger-mile due to higher load factors whereas buses tend to have
lower costs per vehicle-mile. The aim of this study is to assess the overall transit system
performance of rails and buses. These observations are then used to make a comparative
analysis between the two modes. The study quantitatively verifies which transport mode has
the higher efficiency and is worth improving. It can be used as a guideline by government
agencies in their decision to invest in public transport systems.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation