Year
2026
Reform Domain
Manifesto Watch
Women
Sub Domain
Safe and Sustainable Dhaka Development
Source of Reform Proposals
Election Manifesto of Bangladesh Nationalist Party - BNP
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 03-Aug-26
This pledge was articulated in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) election manifesto for Bangladesh’s 13th national election. In its election manifesto, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) states that "To ensure women’s constant safe travel, initially “women-only” buses (pink buses) will operate on various routes in Dhaka. In pilot, women will also serve as drivers and conductors.”
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 03-Aug-26
Following the formation of the government in February 2026, the Prime Minister issued directives to relevant authorities to introduce a women-only bus service in Dhaka. On 2 March 2026, he instructed the Road Transport and Bridges Minister to take necessary steps to launch the service. Subsequent consultations were held with experts, including faculty from the BUET, to seek technical advice on implementation. In addition, the government formally took an initiative to introduce women-only bus services under the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC).
Legal and Policy Framework
Last Update: 15-Oct-26
The FY2026–27 Budget Speech also refers to a fully women-operated and women-managed “Pink Bus Service”. The Gender Budget Report FY2026–27 further recognises safe transport and independent women buses as part of women’s safe mobility. On 19 July 2026, the government proposed procuring 100 electric minibuses exclusively for women commuters at an estimated cost of Tk 3.40 billion. Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) sought an urgent allocation from the Finance Division to implement the initiative, with the proposal providing for procurement through the direct-purchase method. These developments further strengthened the policy and financing basis for implementing the manifesto pledge.
Operationalisation
Last Update: 15-Oct-26
On 18 August 2026, BRTC formally launched the women-only “Pink Bus” service, with 14 buses beginning operation on 13 routes in Dhaka, Chattogram and Bogura. The service was operated by women drivers and attendants, directly implementing the pilot model envisaged in the manifesto pledge. BRTC also introduced route-tracking facilities, while CCTV and Wi-Fi facilities were being tested on selected buses.
Subsequent reporting confirmed that 15 women drivers and 24 women conductors had been deployed for the service. On 23 August, POS-based e-ticketing was introduced across all 14 Pink Buses, with conductors trained to operate the system. BRTC subsequently opened recruitment for additional women drivers, with selected candidates to receive free heavy-vehicle driving training before possible appointment to the service.
Observation
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Early implementation of the pilot programme has provided useful insights into service demand, availability and utilisation. On 18 September 2026, some Pink Bus services were found to be operating with very low passenger numbers and generally only two scheduled trips per day. On 21 September 2026, the service was reported to be losing up to Tk 60,000 per day, although no publicly available audited BRTC financial breakdown has been identified to verify this figure.
Acknowledging the high demand for women-centric bus services, on 27 September 2026, the issue was discussed in the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, where it was noted that the existing 14-bus fleet was insufficient to meet the travel demand of women going to schools, colleges and workplaces. The government subsequently reiterated plans to add 100 more Pink Buses. This proposed expansion could help address the current availability and frequency constraints. Going forward, the sustainability of the service will depend on whether fleet expansion can improve route coverage and frequency while also generating sufficient and consistent passenger demand.
Resources
- ‘Pink Bus’ puts women in the driving seat
- 100 more buses to be launched for women travelling to workplaces
- BNP's Election Manifesto 2026
- BRTC launches women-only bus services in Dhaka, Chattogram, Bogura
- E-ticketing introduced for BRTC women-only buses
- Gender Budget FY 2026-27
- Govt to launch women-only BRTC bus services in capital
- Govt to roll out 100 electric minibuses for women commuters
- National Budget Speech FY2026-27
- PM reaffirms women-only bus service in Dhaka
- PM Tarique orders women-only bus service in Dhaka
- Women-only buses, cycle services, monorail: new additions coming to Dhaka’s public transport
- স্বস্তি থাকলেও পিংক বাসে যাত্রী খরা