On this World Tourism Day, Bangladesh’s road safety landscape marked a significant milestone with the launch of the Online Bus Terminal (OBT).
Born from the practical experience of the Cox’s Bazar district police, this digital initiative has completed one year of operation, enhancing road safety through disciplined traffic management and accountable transport systems.
Over the past year, OBT has made significant contributions to passenger services by promoting transparency, order, and accountability in inter-district bus transportation.
The web-based platform integrates information from all inter-district bus companies, including schedules, vehicle fitness and route permits, driver and guide databases, accident records, and a passenger rating and review system.
Through OBT, the schedules of 73 inter-district bus services in Cox’s Bazar have been fully digitized, while information on 1,768 buses, 1,680 drivers, and 2,386 guides across 105 services serving travel groups, universities, medical colleges, and corporate organizations on the nationwide route has been consolidated.
The platform also enables digital ticket booking for all bus services, and nearly 11,000 online bus permit applications have been processed to ensure a smooth travel experience for tourists.
Moreover, OBT has provided digital services nationwide to travel groups, universities, medical colleges, and corporate organisations.
The online scheduling system and district-level dashboard have enabled pre-planned traffic management, reducing congestion. The integration of driver and guide information, along with Google Maps locations of bus departures, has strengthened transparency and accountability.
Passenger complaints, ratings, and reviews now allow authorities to identify both competent and high-risk drivers, and the launch of the “Emergency Alarm System” enables passengers to seek urgent safety assistance directly.
LED displays at key locations, including Sugandha Point, show bus schedules to enhance convenience for tourists.
Looking ahead, OBT aims to expand beyond Cox’s Bazar to all districts, creating a unified and coordinated public transport management system.
The Emergency Alarm system will be extended nationwide, allowing traffic and highway police to verify bus fitness, route permits, and real-time driver information through QR scans on mobile apps, thereby saving time and reducing fuel costs.
The district police of Cox’s Bazar emphasise that the OBT model has the potential to serve as an effective model for road safety throughout Bangladesh.
By instilling discipline, safety, and trust in road transport, this initiative will support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of halving road fatalities by 2030.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Courtesy
