JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY : Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (JUCSU) today launched a live bus tracking service, 'iTracker', aiming to modernise the university's transportation system and make it more efficient and student-friendly under the slogan, "Smart Transport, Smart Campus."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan formally inaugurated the service as the chief guest at a function held at the university's central playground this afternoon.

The new service will enable students, teachers, officers and employees to monitor the real-time location of campus buses through a mobile application, reducing uncertainty, waiting time and commuting hassles.

JUCSU Transport Secretary Tanvir Rahman said the tracking system has been initially installed in 15 student transport buses. Through the mobile application, users will be able to view the real-time location of buses, the distance from their current location and the estimated arrival time.

He said the service has been made available exclusively to university students for security reasons.

Tanvir said JUCSU conducted nearly five months of research before implementing the initiative and reviewed the experiences of several universities. He added that the initiative aims to reduce students' travel inconvenience and save valuable time. As drivers will no longer need to respond to frequent phone calls regarding bus locations, they will be able to focus more on driving, thereby contributing to improved road safety.

JUCSU Vice-President Abdur Rashid Jitu said the live tracking system has been introduced as part of the students' union's continued efforts to modernise the university's transport services following the introduction of electric carts and autorickshaws on campus.

He urged the university administration to ensure regular maintenance of the system so that the service remains uninterrupted and sustainable.

JUCSU General Secretary Mazharul Islam said campus buses serve as a vital and safe mode of transportation not only for students residing in Dhaka but also for those travelling for tuition, academic and other daily activities.

He expressed hope that the tracking service would significantly benefit commuters and said JUCSU would make its achievements in the transport, health and academic sectors more visible by the end of its tenure while fulfilling its commitments to students.

Speaking at the inauguration, the vice-chancellor thanked JUCSU, the university's transport office and IFAD Group for implementing the initiative.

The vice-chancellor said the tracking system would enable students, teachers and university employees to instantly know the location of campus buses, helping save time, making transportation more convenient and ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the transport sector.

He also stressed the importance of regular maintenance and continuity of the service.

Among others, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Md ShamsulAlam, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Acting Director of the university's Transport Office Prof Dr Md Shafiqul Islam, JUCSU leaders, representatives of IFAD Technologies and university officials attended the inaugural programme.