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Bangladesh will begin mandatory implementation of Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking in public transport vehicles from Saturday as part of a government initiative aimed at improving road discipline, strengthening traffic management, and enhancing passenger safety.
Under the new directive, all public transport vehicles seeking new registration, fitness certificates or renewal of fitness certificates must have an active and operational GPS device installed. Transport owners will also have to demonstrate that the device is functioning properly through a designated mobile application before receiving approval from the authorities.
The measure, introduced by the government and enforced through the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), is expected to enable real-time monitoring of vehicle movements, improve route management, and help curb widespread traffic violations that have long plagued the country’s roads.
Officials say the system will allow regulators to track whether buses are operating on their approved routes, identify excessive speeding, monitor unscheduled stoppages and strengthen enforcement against traffic violations. The initiative is also expected to assist law enforcement agencies in responding more quickly to road accidents and vehicle-related crimes.
Bangladesh’s urban transport system, particularly in Dhaka and other major cities, has long been criticised for chaotic bus operations. Fierce competition among buses to pick up passengers often results in reckless driving, abrupt lane changes, unauthorised roadside stops and prolonged occupation of multiple lanes, contributing significantly to traffic congestion and increasing the risk of road accidents.
Authorities believe GPS-based monitoring will provide transport regulators with better oversight of public transport operations and encourage greater compliance with traffic regulations. However, transport operators say full implementation will take time.
Jahangir Alam Khan, Organising Secretary of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association, said agreements had already been finalised with service providers to install GPS devices in buses operated by different companies.
“Preparations are underway, but achieving 100 per cent implementation from August 1 will be difficult. Many operators still need additional time to complete installation across their fleets,” he said.
The BRTA has urged all transport owners, operators and stakeholders to complete the installation process without delay, warning that vehicles failing to meet the requirement will not receive new registrations or fitness certificates.
Insiders say the effectiveness of the initiative will largely depend on how consistently the authorities enforce the rules. They argue that simply installing GPS devices will not automatically eliminate long-standing problems in the transport sector unless the tracking data is actively monitored and appropriate action is taken against violators.
Road safety experts have welcomed the initiative as a positive step towards building a smarter transport management system but caution that technology cannot replace institutional reforms.
They note that many ageing and mechanically unfit vehicles continue to operate on the roads despite safety concerns. Unless authorities simultaneously strengthen fitness inspections, crack down on unfit vehicles, enforce traffic laws uniformly and improve accountability among transport operators, the full benefits of GPS monitoring may not be realised.
Experts also recommend integrating the GPS platform with traffic control centres, digital route permit systems and law enforcement databases to maximise its effectiveness. Such integration, they say, could help authorities analyse traffic patterns, optimise public transport routes and formulate evidence-based transport policies.
The mandatory GPS programme forms part of the government’s broader efforts to modernise Bangladesh’s road transport sector through the use of digital technology and stricter regulatory oversight. If implemented effectively, officials believe the system could contribute to safer roads, more disciplined public transport operations and reduced congestion in the country’s increasingly crowded urban centres.