More Trains, Later Hours for Dhaka Commuters
Dhaka’s metro rail is set to become a more practical option for evening commuters, with authorities planning to increase the number of late-night trips and extend overall service hours, likely from September. The move signals a continued effort to squeeze more capacity and utility out of the capital’s most significant public transport investment in decades.
The expanded schedule would mean passengers can rely on the MRT Line-6 for a longer window each day, reducing dependence on the notoriously congested road network that has long made Dhaka one of the slowest cities in the world for surface travel. For the millions of workers, students, and residents who move through the city’s core corridors daily, even a modest extension of service hours can meaningfully change how they plan their evenings.
A System Still Finding Its Stride
MRT Line-6, which runs from Uttara in the north to Motijheel in the south, opened its first segment in late 2022 and reached full operational length in late 2023. Built with Japanese financing and technical support through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the line covers roughly 21.26 kilometres and includes 17 stations. It was the first metro rail system in Bangladesh’s history, and its arrival reshaped how many Dhaka residents think about getting around the city.
Since full operations began, ridership has grown steadily. The trains run on a fixed schedule with headways that have been progressively tightened as the operator, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), has gained operational confidence. Adding more trips during the night window is a logical next step, particularly as the system’s reputation for punctuality and air-conditioned comfort continues to draw riders away from buses and rickshaws.
Why Night Service Matters
Dhaka does not slow down at sunset. Offices, markets, restaurants, and entertainment venues keep the city moving well into the night, and the lack of reliable late-night public transport has historically pushed people toward private cars and ride-hailing apps, adding to congestion rather than relieving it. A metro that runs later gives lower-income commuters, in particular, a safe and affordable way home without having to negotiate fares with CNG auto-rickshaw drivers or wait for infrequent buses.
The timing of the planned expansion, around September, also coincides with the period after the monsoon season eases, when road flooding typically subsides and commuter volumes tend to pick up again across the city.
Part of a Larger Transport Transformation
The night service expansion is one piece of a broader push to modernise Dhaka’s transport infrastructure. Several additional MRT lines are in various stages of planning and construction, including lines that would extend the network to the airport, to Gazipur, and across the Buriganga River to Keraniganj. The government has framed mass rapid transit as central to its long-term vision for making Dhaka liveable and economically competitive.
For a city that has spent decades synonymous with gridlock, the metro rail represents something more than a transport upgrade. It is a proof of concept: that Bangladesh can plan, finance, and operate complex urban infrastructure at scale. Extending its hours is a small but meaningful step in making that proof more convincing to the millions of Dhaka residents who still haven’t made the switch from road to rail.