Dhaka, Nov. 1 -- Bus services have begun operating under a franchise system on seven routes in Dhaka, comprising six regular routes and one circular route, as part of Dhaka's bus route rationalisation initiative.

Shimul Biswas, chief coordinator of the Transport Owners-Workers Unity Council, inaugurated the service at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital at 11am on Sunday.

The routes are from Shibbari in Gazipur to Azimpur in Dhaka, Mirpur to Keraniganj, Ghatar Char to Demra, Ghatar Char to Kanchpur, Ghatar Char to Dhour, and Tongi to Azimpur.

A circular bus service has also been introduced on the Mirpur-1 to Ansar Camp route, passing through Kachukhet, Sainik Club, Jahangir Gate and Agargaon.

At the inaugural ceremony, Shimul said some of...