A women-only ‘Pink Bus’ service has been launched in the capital to provide safer and more comfortable public transport for female passengers.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam inaugurated the service at the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) Tejgaon Bus Depot on Tuesday afternoon.
The buses, operated by female drivers and conductors, will begin passenger services from Wednesday on designated routes. However, operations started from Tuesday afternoon on a trial basis, subject to passenger demand, according to the ministry.
Initially, 10 buses will operate on several key routes in Dhaka. Four more buses will be introduced outside the capital, including two in Bogura and two in Chattogram.
BRTC officials said the number of buses would be increased in the future depending on passenger demand and requirements.
In Dhaka, the ‘Pink Bus’ service will operate on routes including New Market (Coca-Cola)-Motijheel, Taltala-Motijheel, Demra Staff Quarter-Motijheel, Mirpur-10-Motijheel, Mirpur-12-Motijheel, Abdullahpur-Quarter-GPO, Mirpur-Motijheel and Mohammadpur-Motijheel.
A separate service will also operate on the Gazipur-Airport route.
The New Market-bound bus from Motijheel will travel through Coca-Cola, New Bazar, Badda, Rampura, Malibagh, Kakrail, Paltan and Gulistan before reaching its destination.
Buses from Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Demra and Abdullahpur will connect passengers with several important areas of the capital.
Outside Dhaka, two women-only buses will operate on the Sherpur-Matidali route in Bogura, while two others will run on the Kalurghat-Patenga route in Chattogram.
According to BRTC, the initiative has been introduced as part of the government’s election manifesto. The service will be operated entirely by women drivers and conductors.
The corporation said the initiative aims to provide women with safer, more convenient and comfortable public transport facilities.
