Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Assessing the Operational Efficiency of Public Transport in Rajshahi: A User and Operator Perspective

Received: 14 January 2026     Accepted: 23 January 2026     Published: 9 February 2026
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Sustainable development is a broad concept stems from environmental, social and economic equality and vitality. A well-functioning Public transport system is also an important part of a sustainable transportation system, as it focuses on reducing traffic congestion, pollution and provides affordable mobility facilities for people. So, performance evaluation of this public transportation system is a fundamental requirement for a rapidly growing metropolitan city like Rajshahi. Rajshahi is the fourth largest divisional city, containing both motorized and non-motorized transport facilities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of Rajshahi’s public transport system based on efficiency measurement. The main mode of transportation system auto rickshaw, has been selected for this study. Service efficiency, cost efficiency, system efficiency, utilization efficiency and network efficiency are being assessed from both passenger and operators’ perspectives. For the purpose of this investigation, Railgate is considered as the center point, and the Railgate to Binodpur, Railgate to Bazar, Railgate to Court station and Railgate to Nowhata routes are selected. The data collection process was done by conducting questionnaire surveys of passengers and drivers. Also, other data such as velocity, distance, time of travel and delay time were measured by direct observation. The study result reveals that network efficiency is the highest, securing 73.50%, while system efficiency is the lowest, at around 18.48%. Additionally, service efficiency, cost efficiency and utilization efficiency are 37.21%, 22.71% and 30.95%, respectively. These values indicate that although the vehicle speed is faster, the number of auto-rickshaws is increasing in a considerable amount lead to traffic congestion delay. The study outcomes provide an overview of the Rajshahi city transport system, contributing valuable insights for the development of a long-term and well-planned transportation system.

Published in International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology (Volume 12, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijtet.20261201.12
Page(s) 15-22
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Transportation System, Public Transport, Performance Evaluation, Efficiency, Rajshahi

References
[1] Cervero, R. and A. Golub, Informal transport: A global perspective. Transport policy, 2007, 14(6), p. 445-457.
[2] Velasco Arevalo, A. and R. Gerike, Sustainability evaluation methods for public transport with a focus on Latin American cities: A literature review. International journal of sustainable transportation, 2023, 17(11), p. 1236-1253.
[3] Daraio, C., et al., Efficiency and effectiveness in the urban public transport sector: A critical review with directions for future research. European Journal of Operational Research, 2016, 248(1), p. 1-20.
[4] Statistics, B., Bangladesh bureau of statistics (BBS). Statistics and Informatics Division, Ministry of Planning
[5] Jodder, P. K., et al., Proposing Major BRT Routes for Rajshahi City Towards Increasing Public Transport Demand and Alleviation of Congestion Level to Achieve A Sustainable Urban Public Transport System. American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 2020, 5(4), p. 61-68.
[6] Feroz, R., Auto-rickshaws Causing Traffic Jam in Rajshahi. The Daily Observer. 2014.
[7] Basri, R., et al., Changing modes of transportation: A case study of rajshahi city corporation. Bangladesh J. Pol. Econ, 2014, 29(3): p. 1-23.
[8] Pojani, D. and D. Stead, Sustainable urban transport in the developing world: beyond megacities. Sustainability, 2015, 7(6), p. 7784-7805.
[9] Currie, G., Lies, damned lies, AVs, shared mobility, and urban transit futures. Journal of Public Transportation, 2018, 21(1), p. 19-30.
[10] Tirachini, A., The economics and engineering of bus stops: Spacing, design and congestion. Transportation research part A: policy and practice, 2014, 59, p. 37-57.
[11] Vuchic, V. R., Urban transit systems and technology. 2007.
[12] Ahasan, R. and A. Kabir. Performance evaluation of public transportation system: analyzing the case of Dhaka, Bangladesh. in Ahasan, R., & Kabir, A.(2021). Performance Evaluation of Public Transportation System: Analyzing the Case of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Planning Forum, 2019.
[13] Camus, R., G. Longo, and C. Macorini, Estimation of transit reliability level-of-service based on automatic vehicle location data. Transportation research record, 2005, 1927(1), p. 277-286.
[14] Iles, R., Public transport in developing countries, 2005. Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Israt, M., Anzum, A., Sarker, P. (2026). Assessing the Operational Efficiency of Public Transport in Rajshahi: A User and Operator Perspective. International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology, 12(1), 15-22. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijtet.20261201.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Israt, M.; Anzum, A.; Sarker, P. Assessing the Operational Efficiency of Public Transport in Rajshahi: A User and Operator Perspective. Int. J. Transp. Eng. Technol. 2026, 12(1), 15-22. doi: 10.11648/j.ijtet.20261201.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Israt M, Anzum A, Sarker P. Assessing the Operational Efficiency of Public Transport in Rajshahi: A User and Operator Perspective. Int J Transp Eng Technol. 2026;12(1):15-22. doi: 10.11648/j.ijtet.20261201.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijtet.20261201.12,
      author = {Maria Israt and Arif Anzum and Proton Sarker},
      title = {Assessing the Operational Efficiency of Public Transport in Rajshahi: A User and Operator Perspective},
      journal = {International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology},
      volume = {12},
      number = {1},
      pages = {15-22},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijtet.20261201.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijtet.20261201.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijtet.20261201.12},
      abstract = {Sustainable development is a broad concept stems from environmental, social and economic equality and vitality. A well-functioning Public transport system is also an important part of a sustainable transportation system, as it focuses on reducing traffic congestion, pollution and provides affordable mobility facilities for people. So, performance evaluation of this public transportation system is a fundamental requirement for a rapidly growing metropolitan city like Rajshahi. Rajshahi is the fourth largest divisional city, containing both motorized and non-motorized transport facilities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of Rajshahi’s public transport system based on efficiency measurement. The main mode of transportation system auto rickshaw, has been selected for this study. Service efficiency, cost efficiency, system efficiency, utilization efficiency and network efficiency are being assessed from both passenger and operators’ perspectives. For the purpose of this investigation, Railgate is considered as the center point, and the Railgate to Binodpur, Railgate to Bazar, Railgate to Court station and Railgate to Nowhata routes are selected. The data collection process was done by conducting questionnaire surveys of passengers and drivers. Also, other data such as velocity, distance, time of travel and delay time were measured by direct observation. The study result reveals that network efficiency is the highest, securing 73.50%, while system efficiency is the lowest, at around 18.48%. Additionally, service efficiency, cost efficiency and utilization efficiency are 37.21%, 22.71% and 30.95%, respectively. These values indicate that although the vehicle speed is faster, the number of auto-rickshaws is increasing in a considerable amount lead to traffic congestion delay. The study outcomes provide an overview of the Rajshahi city transport system, contributing valuable insights for the development of a long-term and well-planned transportation system.},
     year = {2026}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Assessing the Operational Efficiency of Public Transport in Rajshahi: A User and Operator Perspective
    AU  - Maria Israt
    AU  - Arif Anzum
    AU  - Proton Sarker
    Y1  - 2026/02/09
    PY  - 2026
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijtet.20261201.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijtet.20261201.12
    T2  - International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology
    JF  - International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology
    JO  - International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology
    SP  - 15
    EP  - 22
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-1751
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijtet.20261201.12
    AB  - Sustainable development is a broad concept stems from environmental, social and economic equality and vitality. A well-functioning Public transport system is also an important part of a sustainable transportation system, as it focuses on reducing traffic congestion, pollution and provides affordable mobility facilities for people. So, performance evaluation of this public transportation system is a fundamental requirement for a rapidly growing metropolitan city like Rajshahi. Rajshahi is the fourth largest divisional city, containing both motorized and non-motorized transport facilities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of Rajshahi’s public transport system based on efficiency measurement. The main mode of transportation system auto rickshaw, has been selected for this study. Service efficiency, cost efficiency, system efficiency, utilization efficiency and network efficiency are being assessed from both passenger and operators’ perspectives. For the purpose of this investigation, Railgate is considered as the center point, and the Railgate to Binodpur, Railgate to Bazar, Railgate to Court station and Railgate to Nowhata routes are selected. The data collection process was done by conducting questionnaire surveys of passengers and drivers. Also, other data such as velocity, distance, time of travel and delay time were measured by direct observation. The study result reveals that network efficiency is the highest, securing 73.50%, while system efficiency is the lowest, at around 18.48%. Additionally, service efficiency, cost efficiency and utilization efficiency are 37.21%, 22.71% and 30.95%, respectively. These values indicate that although the vehicle speed is faster, the number of auto-rickshaws is increasing in a considerable amount lead to traffic congestion delay. The study outcomes provide an overview of the Rajshahi city transport system, contributing valuable insights for the development of a long-term and well-planned transportation system.
    VL  - 12
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Sections