BRTC to impart training to women drivers to introduce air-conditioned EV pink buses

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) will soon introduce electric vehicle (EV) Pink buses dedicated for women passengers on various routes to ensure safe transportation for women at all times as part of the implementation of the current government’s election manifesto.

To operate these buses, BRTC will provide completely free driving training to develop skilled female drivers capable of operating heavy motor vehicles, said Engineer Fatima Begum, General Manager (ICWS & Training), BRTC.

Initially selected female drivers will receive completely free heavy vehicle driving training lasting one to four months.

“The government aims to ensure a safe transport system for women. As part of this target, BRTC has already introduced Pink bus service operated by female drivers for women. To further expand better service, we are going to introduce air-conditioned EV Pink Bus service for women,” Fatima Begum said.

She said they are getting much response after introducing the Pink Bus service and this service is not profit oriented but for ensuring a safe environment for women in the metropolitan cities as well as the entire country.

Even now conservative families are coming forward to provide their family members to receive driving training to be skilled in driving to get jobs at home and abroad, she added.

The government has a target to halve casualties from road crashes by 2030. In this regard, BRTC with the financing from World Bank as well as Asian Development Bank has been providing training to the people specially youths with a target to create skilled drivers so that the trainees can get jobs with dignified status and salaries at home and abroad, she added.

BRTC has been imparting training on light vehicles free of cost to freshers under two separate projects including WB funded Bangladesh Road Safety Project and ADB funded Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP) targeting around 68,000 people.

A good number of female participants have already received training on light vehicles under the two projects and got jobs at home and abroad.

She also mentioned that various surveys suggested that female drivers drive more defensively than males.

“Women passengers feel safe and comfortable in public transport if vehicles are operated by female drivers and helpers in a society like Bangladesh where patriarchal mentality dominates. In that point of view, the government has introduced Pink bus service and it will be further expanded,” she said.

About the new training opportunity for female drivers, BRTC’s Gazipur Training Institute Manager Muhammad Mashiuzzaman said BRTC has issued a new notification seeking applications from women drivers having light vehicle licence to receive training on heavy vehicles with a view to operating EV Pink buses.

He said after completing the training, candidates who successfully pass the Road Performance Test may be appointed as drivers on a daily-wage basis, depending on requirements and in accordance with the corporation's existing administrative and financial regulations.

However, no financial benefits will be provided before final appointment.

In the future, these candidates will receive priority consideration for permanent driver positions at BRTC, subject to fulfilling the relevant eligibility requirements through the formal recruitment process.

BRTC sought applications from Bangladeshi citizens aged between 21 and 32 years having at least five feet height. The age requirement may be relaxed for experienced drivers.

Applicants may participate in the heavy vehicle driving training program provided they have held a driving licence for at least one year (subject to applicable conditions).

BRTC asked intending candidates to appear in person for the preliminary selection test (driving test) at the BRTC Central Training Institute, Gazipur, between 9am and 2pm, on working days from November 1, 2026 to November 15, 2026.

Applicants must bring the original copies of National Identity Card or Birth Registration Certificate, all educational certificates and driving licence.

The final results of the preliminary selection test will be published on the afternoon of November 15, 2026 on the BRTC website and Facebook page.

Free accommodation will be available at the women's hostel for candidates participating in the examination.

Training for initially selected candidates will commence on November 17.