Bangladesh Assembles Its First In-House Buses in Transport Milestone

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has launched two new air-conditioned buses, marking a significant development in the country's public transport sector. This news, which is sure to be breaking news in the transport industry, signifies the first time the state-owned company has assembled buses entirely in-house. Senior officials attended the inauguration ceremony in Gazipur, celebrating this monumental achievement.

The two buses were assembled at BRTC's Integrated Central Workshop in Gazipur, with technicians completing the work in just three months. Using chassis supplied by Ashok Leyland, an Indian automotive manufacturer, each bus was assembled at a cost of Tk 94 lakh, a significant reduction from the Tk 1.88 crore price of a fully imported unit.

BRTC has not added new buses to its fleet since 2018, but this breaking news indicates a turning point. Currently, the corporation operates around 1,300 vehicles, with 1,146 in service and the rest undergoing maintenance. The newly assembled buses will soon enter long-route services once they receive registration from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority.

The corporation has ambitious plans for the future. It aims to produce 200 more buses by the end of 2024, having already secured 300 chassis from China earlier this year. A new assembly plant in Gazipur is being set up, with trial production expected to begin in mid-2024. Additionally, BRTC is in the process of purchasing 340 buses from South Korea before the year ends.

Looking ahead, the organisation plans to expand its assembly operations. Future projects may include manufacturing trucks alongside buses, reducing costs and boosting self-reliance.

The two locally assembled buses represent a significant step towards cutting import costs and improving BRTC's fleet. With further production planned, the corporation expects to strengthen its services in the coming years. This initiative also aligns with broader efforts to modernise public transport in Bangladesh, making it a piece of breaking news worth following.