Bangladesh Inaugurates Dedicated Women's Bus Service With E-Ticketing
Bangladesh has launched a dedicated women's bus service across three cities featuring female staff, GPS tracking, and e-ticketing. The initiative aims to enhance safety and modernize public transport for female commuters.
State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Habibur Rashid Habib officially inaugurated the new women's bus service, widely known as the Pink Bus, during a ceremony held in Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 18 August. The initiative by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is designed to provide secure, accessible, and comfortable public transportation specifically tailored for female passengers across the country.
During the initial phase, the transport service has been rolled out across 13 distinct routes utilizing a total of 14 buses deployed in major urban centers, including Dhaka, Chattogram, and Bogura. Specifically, Dhaka has received 10 buses operating across 160 designated stoppages, while Chattogram and Bogura have been allocated two buses each, servicing 12 and 16 stoppages respectively, bringing the nationwide total to 188 stoppages.
A notable feature of this transport network is that the buses will be entirely operated by female drivers and female conductors, creating secure employment environments. To further guarantee the safety and security of both the female passengers and the onboard staff, every vehicle in the fleet has been equipped with advanced security measures, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking technology.
Addressing the technological integration of the project, State Minister Habibur Rashid Habib highlighted the implementation of an e-ticketing system for the women's bus service. He explained that in this era of information technology, the objective is to modernize the public transport system, make it more technology-driven and passenger-friendly, and increase the utilization of digital tools while ensuring safe journeys for women.
Elaborating on the ticketing benefits, Habibur Rashid Habib stated that this digital advancement allows female passengers to easily collect their tickets prior to boarding the buses, which will significantly reduce waiting times at physical counters. He also emphasized that beyond passenger safety, ensuring the security and proper working environment of female drivers and assistants is paramount, which reinforced the decision to install CCTV cameras and GPS systems.
The high-profile inauguration event was attended by several key government and transport sector officials who delivered remarks, including Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Mohammad Ziaul Haque, and BRTC Chairman Md. Ziaul Haque alongside other dignitaries. In addition to the current fleet launch, broader institutional updates note that a process is underway to add 100 electric vehicles (EVs) to the fleet backed by approximately Tk 800 crore in loan assistance from the Ministry of Finance.
