Two bus owners and 48 drivers have been honoured for their contribution to providing better, passenger-friendly services in the public transport sector.
Mostafa Azad Chowdhury of Agamoni Express and Romesh Chandra Ghosh of Shyamoli Paribahan received a crest and certificate each on behalf of owners on Saturday.
The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has introduced the awards styled 'Responsible bus owner award and skilled driver award 2018' this year.
The awards handover ceremony was held in the auditorium of the Central Public Library in the capital with RSF vice-chairman Abdul Hamid Sharif in the chair.
The awards are aimed at encouraging the owners and workers to improve bus services every year and reduce road accidents.
The drivers from across the country also received a crest and certificate each for their contribution to ensuring safe journey and better services.
Accident Research Institute former director Moazzem Hossain, Janata Insurance Company Ltd chairman Belal Ahmed, psychiatrist Mohit Kamal and economist MS Siddique, among others, spoke on the occasion.
The speakers urged the government to create scope for people in getting driving skills through establishing training institutes.
Dr Moazzem said there is no alternative but to discipline transporters and blamed the faulty transport management system for creating anarchy in the sector.
Public servants and politicians cannot avoid their responsibility for creating lawlessness in the sector and poor delivery of services, he told the function.
The transport expert called the government and politicos to do their due responsibility to discipline the sector for faster economic growth.
Mr Sharif, also a former president of Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicle Importers and Dealers Association, said the award aims at better services.
"It (award) is to recognise good deeds and encourage those who cherish to do good," he told the gathering.
Mr Sharif, however, said the sector is still running on a wrong path and urged the government to amend the Road Transport Act to make it an effective law.
RSF chief executive Saidur Rahman said the winners were selected on some criteria.
To pick bus owners, the RSF looked into the matter of their holding regular meetings with workers and warning them of risk factors in the sector.
The drivers who have valid driving licence, no accident record in the past 10 years, no addiction and who treat their subordinates well, among other matrices, were picked for awards.
Mr Ahmed of Janata Insurance intended to introduce special incentives for drivers and owners so their work and business continue with security.
Time has come to ensure safety of both owners and drivers with right incentives, he said.
