Pink Bus, a special women-only bus service, has been launched in the capital to ensure safer and more comfortable public transport for women.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam inaugurated the service at Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) Tejgaon bus depot on Tuesday afternoon.

The buses, driven and operated by women drivers and conductors , will operate from this afternoon subject to passenger demand.

Regular passenger services on designated routes are scheduled to begin from Wednesday, according to the ministry.

Initially, 10 buses will operate on several important routes in Dhaka and four more buses will be added to the service outside the capital including two in Bogura and two in Chattogram.

BRTC officials said the number of buses would be increased in the future based on passenger demand and requirements.

In Dhaka, the Pink Bus service will operate on several routes including New Market (Coca-Cola)-Motijheel, Taltala-Motijheel, Demra Staff Quarter-Motijheel, Mirpur-10-Motijheel, Mirpur-12-Motijheel, Abdullahpur-Quarter-GPO, Mirpur-Motijheel and Mohammadpur-Motijheel.

A special service will also operate on the Gazipur-Airport route.

The New Market-bound bus from Motijheel will travel through Coca-Cola, New Bazar, Badda, Rampura, Malibagh, Kakrail, Paltan and Gulistan before reaching Motijheel.

Buses operating from Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Demra and Abdullahpur will connect passengers with several important areas of the capital.

Besides, two women-only buses will operate on Sherpur-Matidali route in Bogura, while two others will run on the Kalurghat-Patenga route in Chattogram.

According to BRTC, the initiative has been introduced as part of the implementation of the government’s election manifesto, with the special service being operated by women drivers and conductors.

It said the initiative is aimed at providing women with safer and more convenient public transport facilities.