Levels of Overcrowding in Bus System of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Overcrowded buses are a common sight in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as they swerve between rickshaws and auto-rickshaws and blare their horns, with the next stop announced by a shout. Two primary bus services operate in the city, ticketed and local, differing in fare collection, stop patterns, and price. They carry the largest share of trips in Dhaka, and both are overcrowded. Understanding the differences between the two, and how crowding affects their curbside operations, could show which is the more effective way of moving passengers. A method to evaluate a system that seems disorderly from the outside was developed, and the effects that crowded conditions have on performance were studied. Data were collected during a half-year period through onboard studies of bus dwell times and loads the buses carry. Despite the uncomfortable conditions crowded buses create for passengers, the buses operate more efficiently for the volumes carried. Local buses in particular were shown to be more effective in transporting the population. Still, Dhaka must live with overcrowded buses until a mass transit system to relieve overcrowding can be built.

Crowding in public transport systems: Effects on users, operation and implications for the estimation of demand

“…Attached to the discomfort of sharing a limited space with several people are multiple physical and psychological factors that intervene in the perception of crowding and its effects. Amongst the reasons for the aversion of public transport users to waiting and travelling in crowded conditions, we can name increased anxiety (Cheng, 2010), stress and feeling of exhaustion (Lundberg, 1976;Mohd Mahudin et al, 2011;, perceptions of risk to personal safety and security (Cox et al, 2006;Katz and Rahman, 2010) 2 , feelings of invasion of privacy (Wardman and Whelan, 2011), propensity to arrive late at work (Mohd Mahudin et al, 2011) and a possible loss in productivity for passengers that work while sitting on a train (Fickling et al, 2008;Gripsrud and Hjorthol, 2012).…”

“…As people react in several ways when a dense human containment is faced, the reasons behind passengers' dislike for crowding on public transport services seem to go far beyond the simple physical discomfort that is caused by having to stand or to share a limited space with several passengers. A myriad set of sensorial, psychological and social issues have been suggested as related to high levels of passengers' density, including perceptions of risk to personal safety and security (Cox et al, 2006;Katz and Rahman, 2010), increased anxiety (Cheng, 2010), stress and feeling of exhaustion (Lundberg, 1976;Mohd Mahudin et al, 2011;, a feeling of invasion of privacy (Wardman and Whelan, 2011), possible ill-health (Cox et al, 2006;Mohd Mahudin et al, 2011), propensity to arrive late at work (Mohd Mahudin et al, 2011) and a possible loss in productivity for passengers that work while sitting on a train (Fickling et al, 2008;Gripsrud and Hjorthol, 2012).…”

Utilizing an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for Overcrowding Level Risk Assessment in Railway Stations

“…Moreover, it was demonstrated that high congestion in railway stations affects the quality of service to travellers, potentially damaging the image of the business, or worse, interrupting operational continuity because of the growth of the dwell time [20,21]. Furthermore, high levels of passenger density have been connected to many psychological and social issues, including perceptions of risk to personal safety and security [22][23][24][25]. Congestion risk management is increasingly important for the railway industry to protect passengers, the public, and employees while enhancing safety and decreasing maintenance costs [14].…”

Tracing a path to knowledge? Indicative user impacts of introducing a public transport map in Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…Ineffective regulation and little accountability have led to persistently poor quality buses, low service standards, high pollution, over-crowding, on-street competition for passengers, little adherence to schedules, and weak fare control (World Bank, 2009). Problematic outcomes include high accident rates (Mannan and Karim, 1999), vehicle over-crowding and negative impacts on comfort, safety, and security (Katz and Rahman, 2010). These conditions exacerbate inequities; for example, evidence suggests that crowding often inhibits older adults, women and children from boarding buses during rush hour (Rahman and Nahrin, 2012).…”