Patna: Bihar is taking a major step toward women’s empowerment and safe public transportation with its Pink Bus initiative. The state’s Transport Department has announced that only women will be trained and employed to drive the Pink Buses. The program aims to create a secure and comfortable commuting experience for women passengers across Bihar. Applications for the training will open from December 15, 2025, and the training program will begin on January 20, 2026, at the Institute of Driver Training and Research (IDTR) in Aurangabad.
Eligibility Criteria for Women Drivers
The Transport Department has outlined clear eligibility requirements for women interested in joining the Pink Bus initiative:
- Must hold a Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) or Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) license.
- Should have at least three years of driving experience.
- Age must be between 21 and 40 years as of January 1, 2026.
During the two-week training period, candidates will be provided with accommodation and meals by the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC). Upon successful completion, HMV license holders will have the opportunity to operate Pink Buses on a contractual basis.
Read also: Bihar Tourism Offers Luxury Tent Stays and Exclusive Packages at Harihar Mela 2025 in Sonpur
Deployment of 100 Pink Buses Across Bihar
The BSRTC plans to introduce a total of 100 Pink Buses in two phases to ensure safe travel for women passengers. The distribution of buses across key cities is as follows:
- Patna: 30 buses
- Muzaffarpur: 20 buses
- Gaya: 15 buses
- Darbhanga: 15 buses
- Purnia: 10 buses
- Bhagalpur: 10 buses
These buses will cater specifically to the safety and convenience of female passengers, including students and working women.
Features and Facilities of Pink Buses
The Pink Buses are equipped with a range of safety and convenience features:
- Environment-friendly buses powered by CNG.
- Sanitary pad vending machines offering pads at just ₹5.
- Panic buttons, CCTV cameras, and GPS tracking systems.
- Mobile charging points, microphones, and music systems.
- Availability of contraceptive pills for women passengers.
These features are designed to ensure a secure, comfortable, and well-equipped travel experience for women commuters.
Affordable Monthly Pass for Students and Women
The Pink Bus program also includes a monthly pass system:
- Students: ₹450 per month
- Women and transgender passengers: ₹550 per month
Passes can be applied for online through the ‘Chalo’ mobile app and are issued on the same day. For offline passes, an additional fee of ₹20 applies. Offline passes are available at the Bankipur and Phulwarisharif bus depots. Required documents include:
- For students: Aadhaar card, photo, and college ID.
- For women: Aadhaar card and photo.
Empowering Women Through Safe Transportation
The initiative is part of Bihar’s broader effort to promote women’s safety and economic participation. By training female drivers and ensuring a women-centric commuting environment, the Pink Bus project aims to transform public transport in Bihar into a secure, modern, and inclusive system.
Read also: Bihar Launches Paddy Procurement Through PACS and Trade Bodies Until February 2026 at MSP
