How To Get Around In Dhaka
Dhaka, the capital and the largest city of Bangladesh, is among the most densely populated cities in the world. Being the ninth-largest city in the world, it's pretty much impossible to walk over to a place you want. Therefore, it is essential to make use of some kind of transportation method to get around in Dhaka. Here are some insights on various transit methods used in this massive city.
CNGs
A CNG, also known as a baby taxi, is a small three-wheeler that you can flag down in Dhaka. It uses Compressed Natural Gas, hence the acronym CNG. The Bangladesh government encouraged its citizens to switch to CNG to curb emissions. Although the price of conversion was high, it did not deter the people as the fuel cost, in the long run, was around ten-times lower when using CNG. One would come across two types of CNGs in Bangladesh; the silver CNG, which is operated by private stakeholders, and the green CNG, which is regulated by the government, hence safer. In a CNG, the driver sits in the front, behind whom the customers sit on a bench-like seat, separated from the driver by a metal grate. The CNGs are usually occupied with doors that have sliding locks and bright designs that are quite eye-catching. A CNG ride may cost more than a rickshaw, and the price can surge up to 800 takas depending on your destination, and possibly even more if you're a foreigner. Recently, the government has passed a law stating that the driver should charge a customer based on a metre reading, but still they charge around 20-50 taka more than the metre price, which is still reasonable than getting completely ripped-off. CNGs can be found in most areas, and it's an averagely safe option to travel around Bangladesh. Make sure that you're aware of major landmarks of a city such as hotels in Dhaka of the likes of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, as it's not really safe to admit that you don't know where you're going.
Rickshaws
Quite common in most Asian countries, a rickshaw can be described as a bike-drawn carriage. The carriage can comfortably hold 1-2 passengers at one time. A rickshaw seat also has a kind of a cover made from bamboo, which can be fixed over a passenger's head from behind. It is good for being guarded against weather conditions but isn't ideal for tall people. These covers are adorned in decorative symbols and look colourful at a distance. The rickshaws are the smallest vehicles on Bangladesh roads that feel very unsafe. For instance, if you run across a speed bump or a pothole, it feels as if the while vehicle might topple over. Since the passengers are exposed at all times, they might also run the risk of being robbed. Rickshaw rides come at great prices and it will never sum up to more than 100 takas as they only go a certain distance. However, make sure that you fix a price before accepting the ride to avoid unpleasant situations.
Buses
The buses in Bangladesh are similar to any other of its kind in the world. These buses are mostly privately-owned and aren't regulated by the government. These buses usually have overhead railings, holding which you can support yourself in case if you have to travel while standing. Travelling by bus in Bangladesh can be a bit inconvenient as they only go through certain routes that would make you take another bus after getting down. There isn't a regular schedule for these buses and you can expect them at any time. However, during peak hours, they would simply pass you as there aren't simply enough space to accommodate more passengers in them. Depending on the distance, you'll be charged something around 5 to 30 taka per ride.
Taxis
The taxis in this country pretty much look the same as anywhere else in the world, though they tend to be a bit on the shabbier side than its European counterparts. These taxis are facilitated for metre readings, hence the prices are quite reasonable. Understandably, prices cost more than what you'd pay at a bus or a rickshaw. Taxis aren't that common in Bangladesh, therefore, if you're thinking of getting one, you may need to call a relevant company and pre-book one. Once you're inside a taxi, you'd find that it is a lot more comfortable than riding in a CNG, and the vehicle is obviously sturdier than a rickshaw.
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