Blockchain-enabled Decentralized Identity Management Leveraged by Self-Sovereign Identity in Bangladesh Public Transportation

Abstract

Bangladesh’s public transportation system is continually plagued by fragmentation, repetition of identification and ticketing and outdated fare collection methods. These shortcomings result in ineffective operation, poor multimodal transport integration and a high risk of identity data breach due to central storage. To overcome these problems, this paper proposed a system that is based on blockchain and built upon the SSI concept. The targeted service is realized through Hyperledger Fabric, Verifiable Credentials and Zero-Knowledge Proof to provide secure and trustworthy identity verification which could prevent the leakage of personal information. After successfully authenticating the user credentials by the approved organizations; the DTID is issued by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) which serves as a verified universal travel credential for all service providers in transport. Ticketing and fare collection is powered by smart contracts, no more haggles or inflated pricing, chips are deposited into escrow and fares are released to the beneficiary upon trip conclusion. The system even allows for offline verification via QR codes and NFC, so it's usable in areas with no internet connection. This decentralized system aims to modernize and standardize Bangladesh’s fragmented public transportation structure by driving privacy, transparency, and interoperability toward an overall safer, more efficient, and user-friendly public transportation experience.