Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has launched a dedicated **Pink Bus Service** to provide women with safer and more comfortable public transport in Dhaka.
Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam inaugurated the service on Tuesday (August 18) at the BRTC Dhaka Truck Depot in Tejgaon.
The buses will be driven and operated by female drivers and conductors. Initially, **10 buses will run on major routes in Dhaka**, while four more will operate outside the capital—two in Bogura and two in Chattogram.
The service will cover 134 stops. E-ticketing through POS machines has been introduced, while one bus has been equipped with trial Starlink Wi-Fi and three buses with CCTV cameras.
In Dhaka, the buses will operate on routes including Notun Bazar-Motijheel, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Demra and Abdullahpur. Outside Dhaka, services will run on the Sherpur-Matidali route in Bogura and Kalurghat-Patenga route in Chattogram**.
Minister Rabiul Alam said the number of buses and routes would be expanded based on passenger demand. He also directed officials to improve service quality within two months.
The government plans to purchase 200 electric buses, with some to be allocated for women. Meanwhile, the process of purchasing 100 electric vehicles for the Pink Bus Service has already begun.
BRTC Chairman Abdul Latif Molla said female drivers received specialised training to operate buses. Officials said the initiative will not only improve women’s safety and mobility but also create new employment opportunities and support women’s economic empowerment.
