Bangladesh's BRTC unveils first locally assembled air-conditioned buses

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has taken a significant step by unveiling two air-conditioned buses, assembled at its own factory. This marks the first time the state-owned transport body has produced its own vehicles. The move is part of a broader plan to modernize its aging fleet and cut rising operational costs.

The newly assembled buses were showcased at BRTC's Integrated Central Workshop in Gazipur. Each vehicle cost Tk 1.88 crore to build and will soon enter service on long-distance routes after registration with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

The two buses were constructed over three months using chassis supplied by Ashok Leyland. Other components were sourced from local markets, with BRTC's own technicians handling the assembly. Each vehicle had a production cost of Tk 94 lakh for parts and labour, bringing the total per bus to Tk 1.88 crore.

This pilot project is the first phase of a larger expansion plan. BRTC currently operates around 1,300 buses, but only 1,146 are active, while the rest remain under repair. No new buses have been added to the fleet since 2018, leading to higher maintenance expenses and operational inefficiencies.

To address these challenges, BRTC aims to assemble 500 more buses in the near future. Preparations include securing a Tk 1,200 crore loan from local banks and setting up a dedicated assembly plant in Gazipur. Initial production trials for the expanded project are expected by late 2024. Additionally, the corporation is working to purchase 340 buses from South Korea before the end of the year.

Beyond buses, BRTC has plans to assemble trucks as well. The goal is to reduce long-term costs, improve service reliability, and strengthen the corporation's self-sufficiency in vehicle production.

The two newly assembled buses will soon begin operating on long routes once registered. If successful, this initiative could significantly reduce BRTC's dependence on imported vehicles and lower maintenance costs.

With financial backing from local banks and ongoing negotiations for foreign purchases, the corporation is moving toward a more sustainable transport system. The next phase will determine whether large-scale local assembly becomes a viable long-term solution.