“A bus service exclusively for women has created an opportunity to travel safely…And sets the stage for putting an end to the long-standing gender-based harassment crisis in public transports, said Shahin Akter, a passenger of the new women-only service.
To this day, women have had to stand in crowded regular buses and face harassment from unidentifiable male passengers, she added, after boarding one of the two “Pink Buses” launched in the Chattogram city on Tuesday.
She called for increasing the number of buses to expand the benefits for all women across the port city.
The “Pink Bus” service with its all-women driving crew was launched simultaneously in Dhaka city and Bogura town.
In Chattogram city, the service was inaugurated at noon near the Kalurghat Radio Centre. One of the buses is double-decker with 75 seats, while the other has 45 seats.
Initially, the two buses will operate between Kalurghat and Patenga, covering a 27-kilometre route with 13 designated stops.
The fare for the full 27-kilometre route has been set at Tk68, with the minimum fare fixed at Tk10.
The buses will stop at Kaptai Rastar Matha, Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, 2 No Gate, GEC, Lalkhan Bazar, Tigerpass, Dewanhat, Choumuhani, Agrabad, Barek Building, Freeport and Kathgar. The same stops will be used on the return journey.
Speaking at the inauguration, Chattogram-8 lawmaker Ershad Ullah said the service was part of the government’s election pledge and urged city residents to help make it sustainable.
“The drivers and helpers of these buses are all women. We hope the service will ensure safe and comfortable travel for women,” he said.
The lawmaker said the number of buses and routes could be increased if sufficient passenger demand was generated.
Women bus driver Mitu Begum said she received training in Gazipur before taking up the job.
Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has fixed the fares based on distance. Fare collection and ticketing will be handled through devices installed on the buses.
