Patna: Pink buses in Patna will now operate till 10pm, extending their evening service hours to improve safety and accessibility for women commuters. The Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) announced that the number of pink buses will increase from 8 to 43, ensuring better availability across routes in the city.
Administrator Atul Kumar Verma said that in response to passenger feedback, daily cleaning will be ensured through the appointment of dedicated cleaning workers. Posters displaying the 181 toll-free helpline number will also be put up in all pink buses. This helpline, operated in collaboration with the Women and Child Development Corporation, will provide information about women’s rights, including protection from domestic violence, child marriage, and dowry-related issues.
Currently, only boys up to five years of age are allowed to travel on pink buses with their mothers, but the age limit will be raised to 12 to benefit more women passengers.
The pink bus initiative was launched three months ago to provide safer public transport for women. Following concerns raised by passengers about limited timings, cleanliness, and inadequate route coverage, BSRTC held a meeting on Friday to address these issues. Plans are underway to deploy pink buses on all city routes to ensure immediate availability.
