‘Pink’ buses with female drivers, conductors to hit Dhaka streets

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is set to launch a special women-only bus service in Dhaka to make public transport safer, more comfortable and hassle-free for female passengers.

The pink-coloured buses, operated by female drivers and conductors, will begin running on various routes in the capital from Tuesday.

The service will be inaugurated at 10am at the BRTC Dhaka Truck Depot in Tejgaon. Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam will attend the inauguration as the chief guest.

State Minister for Railways and the Road Transport and Highways Division Habibur Rashid and Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque will attend the event as special guests.

BRTC Chairman Abdul Latif Molla will chair the programme.

BRTC Public Relations Officer Mostakim Bhuiyan said only female employees would work as drivers and conductors on the special service.

“Initially, 10 buses will operate on important routes in the capital. Four more buses will run outside Dhaka -- two in Bogura and two in Chattogram,” he said.

Mostakim said, “The buses will operate in the afternoon on the opening day if passengers were available. The service will begin full-scale operations on the scheduled routes from Wednesday (19 August).”

The BRTC plans to increase the number of buses in the future based on passenger demand and requirements, he added.

According to BRTC sources, the routes have been selected to connect several important areas of the capital.

Under the Motijheel Bus Depot, buses will operate on the Natun Bazar (Coca-Cola)-Motijheel and Taltala-Motijheel routes.

On the New Market (Coca-Cola)-Motijheel route, buses will pass through Coca-Cola, Natun Bazar, Uttar Badda, Madhya Badda, Merul Badda, Rampura, Abul Hotel, Malibagh, Kakrail, Paltan and Gulistan before reaching Motijheel.

On the Taltala-Motijheel route, buses will run via Taltala, Khilgaon Rail Gate, Basabo, Bouddha Mandir, Mugda, Kamalapur Railway Station, Arambagh, Shapla Chattar and the Secretariat.