BRTC bus service for women in Dhaka, Ctg, Bogura inaugurated

The government has launched a special ‘Pink Bus’ service exclusively for women passengers, with a focus on ensuring safer, more comfortable and hassle-free travel for women in public transport.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam MP inaugurated the ‘Mohila Bus Service (Pink Bus)’ at the BRTC Dhaka Truck Depot in Tejgaon on Tuesday.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the minister said ensuring safe transportation for women is a responsibility of the state.

“Safety must be ensured not only after women board a bus, but also while they wait for a bus and when they get off,” he said, stressing the need to prevent harassment and uncomfortable situations during boarding and disembarking.

The service has been introduced as part of the government’s election pledge to provide women with safe and comfortable public transport. Both the drivers and conductors of the dedicated buses are women.

Initially, the service has been launched with 14 buses on 13 routes in Dhaka, Chattogram and Bogura. Of these, 10 buses will operate on 10 routes in Dhaka, two on one route in Chattogram and two on two routes in Bogura. The service will cover a total of 134 stops across the three cities.

The minister said the government has taken an initiative to procure 100 pink electric buses for women passengers. Fifty electric buses are expected  to be introduced within three months, with the full fleet planned to be rolled out in phases.

State Minister for Railways and Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid said the service was designed to provide women with a safer commuting environment. He said the buses would gradually be equipped with e-ticketing, CCTV cameras and vehicle tracking systems (VTS).

Road Transport and Highways Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque said the government aims to introduce 50 electric buses within three months and 100 within six months.

BRTC Chairman Abdul Latif Molla said the state-owned transport agency was working to become more modern, passenger-friendly and service-oriented.

The buses will operate on routes connecting areas including Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Uttara, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Motijheel in Dhaka, as well as selected routes in Chattogram and Bogura.

The BRTC has also introduced digital ticketing in cooperation with Shohoz.com, while CCTV and Wi-Fi facilities have been introduced on some buses. VTS has been installed on all buses, according to the organisers.

The authorities said the number of buses and routes would be expanded gradually based on demand.