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Patna : From mid-May, Patna will see the rollout of 10 new ‘pink buses’ dedicated exclusively to women passengers, with the state transport department promising safer and more affordable travel. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 2.7 million women in the city.
Operated by the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC), the pink buses will run across five routes, including key corridors such as Bailey Road and the stretch to AIIMS. Women travelling on these buses will receive a 40% discount on fares compared to regular buses. Only women will be permitted to board; male passengers will not be allowed, and conductors found violating this rule may face disciplinary action.
The buses will operate daily from 6am to 9pm, offering an 11-hour window of service aimed at improving urban mobility and safety for women commuters. While the final fare structure is yet to be announced, officials have confirmed that the service will launch with 10 buses initially, with an additional 10 on order.
The routes initially designated for the service include:
- Patna City to Danapur
- Bypass–Kankarbagh–Rajendranagar–Anisabad–Phulwari
- Boring Road–Pataliputra–Kurji–Digha
Each bus will have 22 seats and will be equipped with GPS tracking systems and CCTV cameras. A panic button will be installed under every seat, directly linking to the nearest police station or control room in case of emergencies.
In a bid to ensure a secure and supportive environment, the buses will be staffed entirely by women, including drivers, conductors and maintenance personnel. The Transport Department said that female employees are currently undergoing training to manage all aspects of operations.
