Year
2022
Reform Domain
Manifesto Watch
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: 03-Aug-26
The government has taken a pledge-specific initiative for women-only buses in Dhaka. The Road Transport Ministry’s 180-day action plan reportedly includes the launch of nine women-only buses on eight routes, operated by female drivers and assistants. 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) has sought an urgent allocation from the Finance Division to implement the initiative. The proposal also stated that the buses would be procured through the direct-purchase method. These developments further strengthen the policy basis for implementing the manifesto pledge. However, no verified evidence was found of a route approval, BRTC implementation circular, procurement completion, women driver or conductor deployment, or the launch of the women-only bus service. Therefore, the pledge should be classified as Legal and Policy Framework, but only partially implemented.
Observation
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The pledge has progressed from a general political commitment to a more specific policy and financing proposal. The 180-day action plan identifies specific model details: nine buses on eight routes, female operational staff, and driver training and licensing. The FY2026–27 Budget Speech and Gender Budget Report further place the Pink Bus Service within the government’s policy framework for women’s safe mobility. The subsequent BRTC proposal to procure 100 electric minibuses, supported by a Tk 3.40 billion funding request to the Finance Division, adds a clearer procurement and financing dimension.
However, the proposal has not yet translated into implementation. There is no verified evidence that the requested allocation has been approved, procurement has been completed, routes have been formally designated, female drivers and conductors have been recruited or trained, or the service has begun operating. The pledge therefore has a stronger legal and policy foundation, but remains at the pre-operational stage.
Resources
- BNP's Election Manifesto 2026
- Gender Budget FY 2026-27
- Govt to launch women-only BRTC bus services in capital
- 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