The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has launched a specialised ‘Pink Bus’ service exclusively for female passengers in Dhaka, Chattogram and Bogura.
Operated by female drivers and attendants, the service has initially introduced 14 buses on 13 routes. The government has also started the process of procuring 100 electric buses to expand the service.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam inaugurated the service at an event held at the BRTC Dhaka Truck Depot premises in Tejgaon on Tuesday.
The launch of such a bus service was included in the BNP’s election manifesto.
Passengers will be able to purchase tickets before boarding through the e-ticketing system, reducing waiting time at counters.
To ensure passenger safety, CCTV cameras have initially been installed in three buses, while BTS technology has been incorporated into every bus.
In Dhaka, 10 buses will operate on 10 routes, including one single-decker and nine double-decker buses. Bogura will have two double-decker buses on two routes, while two double-decker buses will operate on one route in Chattogram.
A total of 195 stops have been designated for the service, including 167 in Dhaka, 12 in Chattogram and 16 in Bogura.
Routes and destinations
In Dhaka, the buses will operate on routes from Nababazar (Coca-Cola) to Motijheel, Taltola to Motijheel, Demra Staff Quarter to Motijheel, Mirpur-10 to Motijheel, Mirpur-12 to Motijheel, Abdullahpur to GPO, and Mohammadpur to Motijheel. A special bus service is also being introduced on the Gazipur-Airport route.
In Chattogram, buses on the Kalurghat-Patenga route will run via Kalurghat, Kaptai Rastar Matha, Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, 2 No Gate, GEC intersection and Lalkhan Bazar.
In Bogura, the buses will operate on the Sherpur-Matidali route.
100 EV buses coming
The event was told that the government has started the process of procuring 200 electric buses to develop a modern public transport system, half of which will be allocated for women.
The road transport minister said EV buses are essential for establishing green transport services and developing a multimodal transport system in Dhaka.
He also said the service would eventually be expanded to other divisions.
State Minister Habibur Rashid said initiatives had been taken not only to introduce women-only bus services but also to modernise the entire BRTC fleet.
The Finance Ministry is providing nearly Tk800 crore in loan support to add new buses to the BRTC fleet, which will include environment-friendly electric buses.
‘It will not fail like before’
Similar bus services for women have been introduced in the past, but they failed to survive due to a lack of passengers.
The issue was also raised at the inauguration ceremony of the Pink Bus service.
Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said, “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.”
Recalling the role of women in national development, he said, “Since half of our population is women, their contribution to nation-building is equally significant. More than half of the voters are women, and women are in the driving seat of families and households. Therefore, they need a safe transport system so that their capabilities can be fully utilised for the needs of the state.”
State Minister Habibur Rashid said, “The pink bus will become a symbol of safe transportation for female passengers.”
He stressed the need for proper training for drivers and conductors, as well as ensuring safety and a suitable working environment, to facilitate women’s economic participation.
Driver Khadijatul’s pride
Khadijatul Rima is one of the women who will drive the pink bus. She told TIMES of Bangladesh, “I am very happy and excited. As a woman, getting the opportunity to drive a double-decker bus is truly a matter of pride for me.”
She has also received training in driving cars, scooters and motorcycles. She previously served as a female trainer at BRTC. She then underwent one month and 13 days of bus-driving training in Gazipur.
Referring to the difficulties women face while travelling, she said, “Women often face eve-teasing and unwanted touching amid the rush. Only female drivers and conductors will be on these buses, and men will not be allowed to enter. As a result, women will be able to reach their destinations safely and comfortably.”
“We will not disappoint the government. We will keep this service running for a long time by providing good service,” she said.
A separate bus service for women called Dolonchapa was launched on 2 June 2018. The service began with 10 buses but was later discontinued.
