Dhaka, April 30 -- The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has issued a slate of instructions to reduce fatalities from bus accidents on roads, ferries, and level rail crossings.

It issued a public advisory on Thursday to ensure passengers can disembark from buses quickly in case of accidents.

In March, 12 people were killed when a train smashed into a bus at a level crossing in Cumilla and 26 others drowned when a bus fell into the Padma River while attempting to board a ferry in Daulatdia. The BRTA has now issued instructions in response to the two tragedies.

The instructions were separated for air conditioned and non-air conditioned public transport.

"When accidents occur while traveling on roads and highways, crossing ferry...