Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The state-run Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) on Saturday introduced waterbus service on Aminbazar-Sadarghat route to minimize tedious tailbacks in the capital.
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan inaugurated the waterbuses -- Turag and Buriganga -- at Gabtali Landing Station Saturday morning.
The vessels will ply the 16 kilometers long waterway.
Two waterbuses - Turag and Buriganga - will ferry passengers on Sadarghat-Swarighat-Kholamura-Gabtali river route as a pilot project.
The minister hoped that another 10 waterbuses will be introduced on the route within 3-4 months.
Passengers will be able to avail the water bus service daily from 7am to 6pm every 90 minutes.
The BIWTC has fixed fare at BDT 30.
Each of the two waterbuses cost BDT 5.575 million for construction and has 35 seats. These high-speed vehicles will be able to move 22.8 kilometers per hour on 28 litres of fuel, a BIWTC statement said.
BBN/SI/AD-28Aug10-3:13 pm (BST)
