Inspired by bus-driver husband, Mumtaz takes the wheel of Ctg's new women-only bus service
The new service, launched with two buses, aims to provide safer public transport for women.
Her husband's hands have long been on a bus steering wheel. Inspired by him, Mumtaz Begum learned to drive heavy vehicles. Today (18 August), she took the wheel of one of Chattogram's new women-only buses.
After completing government training, Mumtaz has now become one of the drivers of two women-only buses launched by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) in Chattogram.
The new service, aimed at providing safer and more comfortable public transport for women, began operations in the port city today. Both the drivers and assistants on the two buses are women.
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The two buses began operating after the service was inaugurated around noon at the city's Kalurghat Betar Kendra area. The two buses will run from Kalurghat Betar Kendra through Kaptai Rastar Matha and several key areas of the city before reaching Patenga via Freeport.
The same service was also launched in Dhaka and Bogura today.
12 stops along the route
According to BRTC, the 22-25km route has 12 designated stops where female passengers can board or get off.
The route runs from Kalurghat through Kaptai Rastar Matha, Bahaddarhat, Muradpur, GEC, Tigerpass, Agrabad and Freeport to Patenga.
Fares range from Tk10 to Tk68, depending on the distance. The minimum fare, from Kalurghat to Kaptai Rastar Matha, is Tk10, while the fare from either Kalurghat or Kaptai Rastar Matha to Patenga is Tk68.
'Much safer'
A woman passenger who travelled on one of the new buses said women often face various problems when using regular public transport.
"Here, the driver, assistant and fellow passengers are all women, so it feels much safer," she said, adding that women had long needed a separate bus service.
Officials familiar with the development said the main objective of the service is to provide women, including job holders and students, with safer access to public transport.
The initiative is also expected to create more employment opportunities for women in the transport sector by appointing female drivers and assistants.
More buses may be added
BRTC officials said the number of buses could be increased in the future based on passenger demand and experience in operating the service.
For Mumtaz, it all started with her husband encouraging her to learn how to drive. Today, she is behind the wheel of a bus, carrying women like herself across Chattogram.
