Allegations that some passengers are exploiting a loophole in Dhaka’s Metro Rail system to secure seats have drawn attention from regular commuters, prompting the authorities to introduce operational changes at the Motijheel terminal.
Many passengers travelling toward Uttara say a section of riders board trains heading to Motijheel first, travel to the terminal station, and remain seated as the same train begins its return journey.
By doing so, they start the northbound trip already seated, leaving passengers boarding at intermediate stations such as Secretariat and Shahbagh standing during peak hours.
For daily commuters, the practice has become a growing source of frustration.
“I board from Secretariat most mornings. By the time the train arrives, many seats are already occupied,” said Tanvir Hossain, a private-sector employee.
“Later, I found out some people actually go to Motijheel first and return on the same train just to secure a seat.”
A university student, Nusrat Jahan, said the practice may exploit a system gap but raises questions of fairness.
“The metro fare is determined by the distance travelled, not how long you stay inside an air-conditioned coach,” she said. “Using a loophole to ensure a seat while others have to stand the whole journey doesn’t feel fair.”
Responding to the concerns, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) officials say they have already taken several steps to address the issue.
Md Nazrul Islam, head of operations at Dhaka Metro Rail, told Dhaka Tribune that the number of trains has been increased and the turnaround procedure at Motijheel has been modified.
“Previously, the train arriving at Motijheel would depart again after changing platforms,” he said. “Now, as we have increased the number of trains, passengers at Motijheel will be able to board from Motijheel itself.”
He added that passengers who remain seated in a train arriving at Motijheel will not be able to continue their journey on the same train.
“If someone stays inside the train after it reaches Motijheel, they will not be able to travel on that train again. They will have to get down and change platforms to board another train,” Nazrul Islam explained.
The metro authority has also shortened the permitted time between check-in and check-out in an effort to discourage unnecessary loitering inside stations or platforms.
“We have reduced the time allowed between check-in and check-out,” Nazrul Islam said. “If a passenger stays on the platform or inside the system beyond that permitted duration, a penalty may be imposed.”
According to officials, the measure aims to prevent misuse of the system while ensuring smooth passenger flow during peak hours.
Despite the operational adjustments, the issue has sparked a wider conversation among commuters about etiquette in public transport.
Some passengers argue that as long as they pay the required fare and remain within the allowed time inside the system, they are not breaking any rules.
Others say such behaviour undermines the principle of equal access.
“Public transport depends not only on rules but also on civic sense,” said Rashedu l Islam, a bank official who regularly travels on the metro. “If everyone starts riding the loop just to secure a seat, it will make the journey harder for the majority.”
Transport analysts say such behaviour is not uncommon in mass transit systems worldwide but can usually be managed through stricter operational enforcement at terminal stations.
Since its launch, the Dhaka Metro Rail has significantly reduced travel time for thousands of commuters and eased pressure on the capital’s congested roads.
However, as ridership continues to grow, ensuring fairness and discipline among passengers is becoming an equally important challenge.
For now, authorities hope that a combination of operational adjustments, stricter monitoring and commuter awareness will help keep the system running smoothly.