BRTC to expand Pink bus service with EVs

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) plans to introduce air-conditioned electric Pink buses exclusively for women passengers on various routes to ensure safer public transport.

As part of the initiative, the corporation will provide free heavy vehicle driving training to selected women to develop skilled female drivers capable of operating the electric buses.
Engineer Fatima Begum, general manager (ICWS and Training) of BRTC, said the initial training programme would last between one and four months.

“The government eyes 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,” she said.

Fatima said the existing Pink Bus service had received a positive response. She added that the service was not intended to generate profit but to ensure a safe environment for women in metropolitan cities and across the country.

She also said that even conservative families were encouraging their female members to receive driving training to develop skills and pursue employment opportunities at home and abroad.

The government aims to halve road crash casualties by 2030. In this regard, BRTC, with financial support from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, has been providing training to develop skilled drivers, particularly among young people, she said.

BRTC has been providing free light vehicle driving training to beginners under two projects – the World Bank-funded Bangladesh Road Safety Project and the ADB-funded Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (SICIP). The projects target around 68,000 people.

A significant number of women have already received light vehicle driving training under the projects and secured jobs at home and abroad, Fatima said.

She also referred to surveys suggesting that female drivers tend to drive more defensively than male drivers.

“Women passengers feel safe and comfort 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.

BRTC Gazipur Training Institute Manager Muhammad Mashiuzzaman said the corporation had issued a notice inviting applications from women holding light vehicle driving licences to receive heavy vehicle training for operating electric Pink buses.

Candidates who successfully complete the training and pass the Road Performance Test may be appointed as daily-wage drivers, depending on requirements and in line with BRTC’s existing administrative and financial regulations.

No financial benefits will be provided before final appointment, he said. Successful candidates will receive priority consideration for permanent driver positions in the future, subject to meeting eligibility requirements through the formal recruitment process.

Applicants must be Bangladeshi citizens aged between 21 and 32 and at least five feet tall. The age limit may be relaxed for experienced drivers. They must have held a driving licence for at least one year, subject to applicable conditions.

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

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

The final results of the preliminary driving test will be published on the afternoon of November 15 on BRTC’s website and Facebook page.

Free accommodation will be available at the women’s hostel for candidates attending the examination.
Training for the initially selected candidates will begin on November 17.