Patna: The Bihar Transport Department is preparing to introduce 80 new pink CNG-powered buses dedicated exclusively to women commuters, expanding a programme already underway in several districts. The initiative, aimed at enhancing safe public transport options for women, currently operates 20 buses across Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Purnia, and Darbhanga.
Under the existing service, Patna hosts eight pink buses with services also running in Muzaffarpur (four buses), and two each in Gaya, Purnia, and Darbhanga.
A Daily Lifeline for Women
For many, such as Khushi, a student at Patna Women’s College, the pink buses have transformed their daily commute. “This bus feels safe and comfortable. Autos and e-rickshaws were full of inconveniences,” she said, citing the onboard GPS and CCTV cameras that bolster passengers’ sense of security. Her sentiment is echoed by fellow riders Jyotsna, Saumya, and Anisha Mehreen, who describe the pink buses as a welcome relief from the unpredictability of other transport options. The service has proven especially vital for students and working women navigating the often-challenging urban commute. To obtain a monthly pass, female passengers are required to submit an Aadhaar card, student ID (or workplace ID), and mobile number at BSRTC offices in Bankipur or Phulwari.
Empowering Women Behind the Wheel
In a move that reinforces the empowerment narrative, the state has also begun staffing the buses with female conductors. In Patna alone, 16 women now serve in this role, with four each in Bhagalpur and Gaya. Officials say the initiative sends a strong social message — that women in Bihar are stepping into public-facing roles and contributing to their families’ financial security. Sanju Kumari, a conductor on one of Patna’s pink buses, says the job has created a unique bond among passengers. “We talk daily. There’s a comfort in being among women,” she says. Others, like Surabhi and Juhi, note the affordability of the service, while Jyotsna, a Bihar Police constable originally from another state, says the programme has changed her perceptions of safety in the region.
“I had a lot of questions about women’s safety before coming to Bihar,” she admits. “But now, I feel secure and respected.”
With the upcoming expansion, officials hope to replicate these stories across more cities — advancing not just transport solutions, but also a broader social shift towards safety, dignity, and economic inclusion for women in the state.
