PM orders launch of dedicated city bus service for women; Road Transport Minister confirms

Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered the launch of a dedicated city bus service for female passengers. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam confirmed the decision in a media interview recently.

Minister Alam said the service will be operated across all major routes in Dhaka city, where all staff of the buses, including the driver, supervisor, and helper, will be women.

However, during the interview, the minister did not disclose a specific dateline for when the service will be launched or the number or types of buses the government is planning to introduce.

Earlier, some private companies had undertaken such initiatives, but all of them failed to survive due to low profitability and operational challenges. Some of the defunct operators claimed lack of policy support also made it difficult to run their businesses sustainably.

Commuting safely and comfortably in the capital has been a major concern for women in recent years. Female passengers complained that abuse and harassment on public transportation have increased significantly.

In addition, they often face discrimination, especially during peak hours, to get on city buses, which severely prolongs the commute time.

The proposed initiative has gained widespread attention across social media platforms. Most users on those platforms have welcomed the move and expressed hope that it will make commuting safer and more convenient for women.

Several female passengers highlighted that the reserved compartments on the metrorail have greatly improved their daily travel experience, suggesting that a dedicated bus service could have a similar positive impact.