Transit Ridership of Dhaka Metro Rail

Abstract

This study focuses on the future ridership of Dhaka’s under-construction metro rail. Dhaka offers an exceptional context with the world’s highest density of population. How the sociocultural condition of the city’s population would impact the future ridership of the metro rail was an interesting question. The data for the study were collected through a structured questionnaire by the participants of a training programme designed for the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited officials and implemented by the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre. The respondents were randomly chosen from six catchment areas of a part of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6. This paper presents the survey findings using descriptive and inferential statistics. The implications of the findings are discussed. The study findings substantially contribute to the scientific knowledge of urban transportation governance regarding rapid-transit facility development. Moreover, the findings carry policy implications for city planners.