Rapid Pass

The Rapid Pass is a smart card automated fare collection system used on participating public transit systems in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Rapid Pass card readers were implemented on a trial basis in 2017. Full implementation began in January 2018 and it was rolled out across rapid transit stations, railway stations, bus stops and terminals, and transit vehicles on many different transit systems.

Rapid Pass
Rapid Pass card
Native nameর‍্যাপিড পাস
LocationDhaka, Bangladesh
Launched4 January 2018 (2018-01-04)
Technology
OperatorDhaka Transport Coordination Authority
CurrencyBDT (৳100 minimum load, ৳2000 maximum load)
Stored-valuee-purse
Credit expiryNone
Auto rechargeNo
Validity
Retailed
Websiterapidpass.com.bd
Part of a series on
Transport in Bangladesh
Modes
Aviation
Authorities
Public transits
Important infrastructures
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History

In 2014,[1] Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority took up a project to develop automated fare collection system for Dhaka city at a cost of ৳39.06 crore. Japan International Cooperation Agency provided technical assistance and 73% of the total budget for the project. The authority concerned decided to introduce Rapid Pass service on trial basis for buses operated by Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation plying on Abdullahpur–Motijheel route in the city in May 2017.[2] Sheikh Hasina, prime minister of the country, inaugurated the card service of the Rapid Pass on 4 January 2018. The project was said to be completed in 2019,[3] which was in the process of setting up a clearing house bank for multiple transport services which was implemented by Dutch-Bangla Bank.[4] In the meeting on bus route rationalization organized on 21 June 2022, it was decided to ensure the use of Rapid Pass in all modes of transport in Dhaka.[5] From September 2023, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation decided to implement Rapid Pass for all bus transport services operated by them.[6]

Card usage
Rapid Pass can be used for Dhaka Metro stations

This card can be used to purchase tickets for BRTC bus services, BIWTA launches, Bangladesh Railway train services, MRT and BRT.[7]

Purchase and reload

For the card, one has to register and purchase the card from any of eight branches of Dutch-Bangla Bank. The branches are Motijheel Local Office Branch, Motijheel Foreign Exchange Branch, Elephant Road Branch, Uttara Branch, Banani Branch, Gulshan Circle-1 Branch, Gulshan Branch and Sonargaon Janpath Branch. These branches also act as recharge point.[8] Besides, cards can be purchased and recharged at 10 bus counters located at House Building, Uttara, Banani, Shahbag, Motijheel, Rampura, Notun Bazaar, Gulshan-2, Shooting Club, Dhaka Chaka Banani Stopage and Police Plaza.[9]

Criticisms

Even after the launch of Rapid Pass, it was not made available for all bus services. On the other hand, bus operators are unwilling to use it to collect fares as they cannot collect more than the government fixed fare.[10]

References
  1. Mamun, Sohel (14 October 2017). "Do you have your Rapid Pass?". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  2. Ahmed, Shamim (24 January 2017). "ঢাকার গণপরিবহনে আসছে 'র‍্যাপিড পাস'". Bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 25 January 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  3. Mamun, Sohel (13 May 2022). "Lack of coordination delays Rapid Pass project". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  4. "PM launches Rapid Pass Card to ease bus fare payment". The Independent. 5 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  5. "গণপরিবহনের জন্য হচ্ছে র‍্যাপিড পাস : মেয়র আতিকুল". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 21 June 2022. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  6. "বিআরটিসির বাসে আসছে র‌্যাপিড পাস". Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 9 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  7. "Passengers can also pay metro rail fare with Rapid Pass". The Business Standard. 28 December 2022. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  8. "'র‍্যাপিড পাস' পেতে যা করতে হবে". Jago News (in Bengali). 14 January 2018. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  9. "উন্নয়ন মেলায় মিলছে র‌্যাপিড পাস কার্ড". Banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 6 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  10. Shafiq, Shahed (25 February 2018). "র‍্যাপিড পাস কার্ডে আগ্রহ নেই পরিবহন মালিকদের". Bangla Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
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