The growing chaos in the public transport system in the capital city originates from multifarious issues. Over the years, a series of factors have contributed to the disorder. Day by day, the number of unruly vehicles and careless pedestrians is increasing. Bad governance at the policy level with its consequent ills at the implementation point turns the situation even more complex.
Nevertheless, a number of efforts have already been there to establish some discipline in the country's public transport system. But the outcome is still disappointing especially when compared with the extent of disorder. It appears that if one area is fixed, conditions in a number of other areas deteriorate. So, the chaos continues to the suffering of people.
One of the big obstacles to deal with the chaos is lack of awareness among both transport operators and common people of traffic rules and regulations. The knowledge gap originates from what can be called transport illiteracy. Transport operators and drivers along with commuters and pedestrians have virtually no literature to consult with. This is clearly reflected by the jaywalking and haphazard movements of pedestrians on roads and footpaths along with unruly race by vehicles on Dhaka roads.
Transport literacy may sound unusual but it is a practical notion. It covers not only knowledge building on the traffic rules and regulations, but also sensible use of transports. It is thus a broader concept and requires formal, semi-formal and informal trainings for people to get acquainted with. Formal training is possible for school and college students. Transport drivers and workers may be imparted semi-formal training. Informal training can be arranged for the uninitiated public.
In fact, print and electronic media in the country can play a vital role in spreading transport literacy. Community-based initiative can also be taken to generate literacy on transport. This kind of informal approach may create greater awareness among people on the use of public transport.
Most of the commuters in Bangladesh still don't know how to use the different types of transports. Public transport like bus or train is not similar to private car or motorcycle. On board a bus or in a train, a commuter needs to be sensitive to fellow passengers. A private car has to provide space for other vehicles. Motorcycle riders should also be respectful to pedestrians. The way they run their motorbikes on footpaths and wrong sides of the roads, expose their disrespect for not only traffic rules but also social norms.
It is also not very difficult to promote transport literacy among drivers and helpers of public buses. Following on-the-job training, they can be trained gradually by offering them a lump sum incentive. In this connection, the transport owners must be ready to cooperate and they may also develop their transport literacy.
The government has been spending a lot of money on different development programmes while a good portion of spending goes waste due to misappropriation. By diverting some of the fund to the transport sector a comprehensive transport literacy -if necessary with the help of the private sector or non-government organisations (NGOs)- can be formulated in order to fill the gap in traffic knowledge.
