The women‑only Pink Bus service began full operation on Wednesday, a day after its inauguration by Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, offering dedicated public transport for female commuters in Dhaka and other major cities.
The initial fleet comprises 14 buses operating on 13 routes in Dhaka, Chattogram, Bogura and adjoining districts.
Of the buses, 13 are double‑deckers and one is a single‑decker.
A total of 15 female drivers and 24 female conductors and attendants are operating the service. BRTC Deputy General Manager Sukdev Dhali said the crew members all have at least HSC qualifications, previous driving experience and valid licences, and received specialised training at the BRTC training centre in Gazipur.
The buses are equipped with Vehicle Tracking Systems (VTS/BTS). Three currently have CCTV cameras and one has onboard Wi‑Fi, with plans to expand these facilities across the fleet. Passengers can also purchase tickets in advance through an e‑ticketing system operated under an agreement between BRTC and Shohoz.com.
The service is intended to provide safer and more comfortable travel for working women, professionals and students. Women will be able to use the buses without male passengers.
The launch follows the earlier Dolonchapa women-only bus service, which began on 2 June 2018 but later stopped operating due to operational inconsistencies and passenger shortages.
At Tuesday’s inauguration, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam pledged that the government would ensure the new service continues.
“There have been instances where a service was inaugurated, but six months later, its existence could no longer be found. This government will not allow that to happen,” he said.
The government also plans to expand the service through a broader fleet modernisation programme. The Ministry of Finance is providing nearly Tk800 crore in loan support to modernise the BRTC fleet, while the government plans to procure 200 electric buses for Dhaka, including 100 for the Pink Bus service.
Shaikh Rabiul Alam said the first 50 electric buses are expected to arrive within the next three months.
