Published : 18 Aug 2026, 08:16 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:33 AM
The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has launched a special pink bus service in Dhaka and Chattogram to provide women with safer and more comfortable travel.
Inaugurating the service, Road Transport Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam said the pink bus “must not disappear the way many past initiatives have”.
He launched the service at the BRTC Truck Depot in Tejgaon on Tuesday afternoon.
"The quality of this service must improve over time, and we must ensure women passengers can travel safely and in comfort," he said.
Citing examples of past initiatives that were shelved within months of launch, the minister said: "There have been instances where, six months after a service was inaugurated, it could no longer be found. This government will not allow that to happen."
Addressing BRTC and ministry officials, he said: "The service being launched today must be improved further within two months. The existing logistical support and manpower may not be fully prepared for the new system. But the management must be improved every day."
He emphasised the need to create an environment that encourages women passengers to travel safely and comfortably by bus.
“The government will take all necessary measures for this, and the ministry will remain accountable in this regard.
“The main challenge is to make this initiative sustainable, enrich it and expand it. The ministry is prepared to meet that challenge. Journalists will help by pointing out the shortcomings and mistakes in the initiative so that they can be corrected.”
Rabiul said the entire journey of women passengers—from the time they wait to board a bus, to boarding it and getting off—must be made safe and passenger-friendly.
“Many women face uncomfortable situations while waiting. Uncomfortable situations also arise inside buses because of management issues. In many cases, the environment is unsafe when passengers get off buses as well,” he said.
“Nearly half of the country’s population are women. Women have contributed to nation-building. More than half of the voters are women. Women also play an important role in the family economy.
“Therefore, ensuring safe transportation for women is necessary if we are to fully utilise their capabilities for the country’s development.”
Service Starts With 14 Buses, Routes To Expand
The minister said ensuring women-friendly transport operated by female drivers is part of the government's commitment.
As part of this, 14 special buses are being launched. Ten will operate on 10 routes in Dhaka, two on two routes in Chattogram and two on two routes in Bogura.
Of the 10 buses in the capital, one is single-decker and nine are double-deckers.
The service will be expanded further, Rabiul said.
“The number of routes and buses will be increased. The environment in which women currently travel will also be gradually improved.”
The service launched in Chattogram with one double-decker and one single-decker BRTC bus operating on the Kalurghat-Patenga route. The double-decker has 75 seats, while the single-decker has 45.
Chattogram-8 MP Ershad Ullah said the service would provide women with a safer and more comfortable way to travel, while Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah said the service would continue in the long term.
The buses will run from Kalurghat via Kaptai Rastar Matha, Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, GEC, Lalkhan Bazar, Tigerpass, Dewanhat, Agrabad, Freeport and Katghar to Patenga.
Fares range from Tk 10 to Tk 68.
Women passengers at the launch welcomed the service, saying they often face difficulties finding seats and concerns over safety on regular buses. They called for more buses and the introduction of the service on other routes in the city.
Plans to Revamp BRTC
Minister Rabiul also flagged limitations in BRTC's current management.
"The BRTC operates around 1,200 or more buses. At present, the organisation is not making a loss; it is at the break-even point," he said.
However, he acknowledged problems with service quality and operations.
"The existing dilapidated management system must be revamped over time and made modern and passenger-friendly," he said.
Highlighting the need to rationalise Dhaka's bus routes, he said: "Many routes no longer exist, but permits for those routes remain. Again, there are routes without permits where buses are still operating.
“These routes were introduced a long time ago. Now, considering passenger demand and requirements, the routes and route permits will be determined afresh and a new management system will be established."
100 of 200 E-buses To Be Reserved For Women
The minister said the government would move towards the direct procurement of 200 electric buses to develop an environmentally friendly transport system.
He said, “If e-buses are procured through a project, completing the approval, tendering and international procurement processes could take at least one and a half years. That is why an initiative for direct procurement has been taken.
“E-buses are extremely important for establishing a multimodal transport system. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels and developing an environmentally friendly transport system is also part of the government’s commitment.”
He said 100 of the 200 e-buses would be allocated for women on different routes.
“As a result, the number of routes and buses under the women’s bus service will increase further. The service will not only be available in the areas where it is being introduced now; in future, it will also be expanded to other divisions,” he said.
State Minister Habibur Rashid, the secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, the BRTC chairman and other officials were present at the inauguration ceremony.
