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Mosammat Rabeya Khatun pictured during the official launch of the 'Pink Bus' service at Tejgaon depot
When 28-year-old Khadija Akter transitioned from being a full-time homemaker to learning how to drive in 2021, she envisioned a path toward financial independence and professional empowerment. Eventually qualifying as a certified driving instructor, she stepped into the spotlight this week as one of the frontline operators of Bangladesh’s newly introduced women-only public bus service.
Yet, within forty-eight hours of taking the steering wheel, Khadija found herself at the center of intense cyberbullying, sexist ridicule, and malicious commentary across multiple social media platforms and sensationalist online outlets. Meeting this correspondent at the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) bus depot in Motijheel on Thursday, she unlocked her smartphone to show how her photographs were being weaponized to generate abusive memes and dismissive digital content.
Thursday marked the third day of operations for the dedicated bus service. Visiting the depot to gauge operational momentum and driver morale, the atmosphere was noticeably subdued compared to the optimism of launch day. Several drivers, fatigued by relentless public scrutiny, preferred silence over publicity. Those who spoke expressed profound distress at the online toxicity directed at their families and profession, yet they voiced an unyielding resolve: despite the coordinated trolling, they will not surrender the steering wheel.
On Tuesday, the BRTC rolled out 14 dedicated buses—operated exclusively by female drivers and female conductors—across 13 routes covering Dhaka, Bogura, and Chattogram. In Dhaka alone, 10 key routes are being serviced by nine double-decker buses and one single-decker vehicle, painted in a distinctive pink hue and widely termed the "Pink Bus." While Bangladesh had previously experimented with special women-only services that faltered due to acute logistical shortages and poor oversight, this initiative marks the country's first transportation system run entirely by women from crew to cockpit.
The service has sparked widespread debate:
Commuter Relief: Regular female passengers have voiced immense appreciation, citing freedom from overcrowding, physical harassment, and gender-based discrimination during rush hours.
Structural Critics: Urban policy analysts argue that rather than isolating women in segregated fleets—which run the risk of declining passenger interest if long waiting times persist due to fleet scarcity—the broader mass transit ecosystem must be fundamentally overhauled to make every public vehicle safe and accessible for female commuters.
Online Backlash: A deeply misogynistic narrative has emerged on social channels and algorithm-driven digital portals, where detractors argue that women are inherently unfit for heavy commercial transit, producing derogatory videos and mock commentary for digital reach.
Inside the BRTC administrative network, officials are walking a tightrope. The transport ministry has instructed administrators to maintain minimal media exposure until fleet expansions materialize. With an operational roster of only 15 female drivers and 24 female conductors, male instructors are currently accompanying crews on designated routes to oversee technical navigation and logistical stabilization. The authorities intend to limit extensive publicity until 100 new 32-seater electric buses arrive to expand operational headway and scale up female crew recruitment.
At the Motijheel waiting lounge, the drivers rested after completing their morning runs. Currently, the buses operate twice daily—departing at 8:00 am to catch office commutes and returning at 4:00 pm—spending the intervening midday parked in the depot.
"No Obstacle Can Stop Us"
Recounting her journey, Khadija Akter shared that after completing basic automotive training five years ago, she underwent a rigorous 44-day specialized heavy-vehicle training program at the BRTC facility in Gazipur before taking charge of the Pink Bus. "Because we already had driving backgrounds, mastering the mass transit vehicle and gaining full steering control did not take long," she explained. "Driving this bus fills me with dignity. Knowing that I am ensuring safe travel for working women gives me inner strength."
Khadija acknowledged the vital support from her parents, in-laws, and particularly her employed husband. On the road, daily female commuters have showered her with praise, calling the drivers ambassadors of women's progress in male-dominated industries.
However, seeing digital content creators ridicule their efforts has been painful. "Content creators are turning a progressive step into an object of mockery for online views," Khadija remarked. "I want to say clearly to them: no obstacle you throw at us will hold us back. Women in Bangladesh are excelling in every sector, and we will perform successfully here as well. I urge our women passengers to retain their trust in us and ignore the malicious noise. Delivering them safely to their destinations remains our foremost pledge."
"Listening to Critics Halts Progress"
Mosammat Sathi Khatun (30), who completed her university degree six years ago before joining BRTC's training division in Manikganj, has since earned a master's degree and is currently studying for an LLB. Residing near the Savar EPZ with her husband and child, she wakes before dawn to operate the demanding Mirpur 10–Motijheel route by 8:00 am.
"Serving our women passengers brings genuine satisfaction," Sathi said. "They thank us when getting off, and many professional male drivers on the road encourage us. A segment of narrow-minded people will always pass rude remarks, but we refuse to internalize their negativity. Male drivers run into traffic complications every day, yet when a female driver is involved, our whole gender is targeted. We have to change this backward mindset through outstanding performance."
Sathi comes from a driving background; her brother and husband are commercial truck drivers, and her sister-in-law, Taslima Parveen, is currently operating the Pink Bus route in Bogura. "My father was my greatest source of courage. He used to say, 'If women can fly airplanes and operate locomotives, why can’t you drive a bus?' When my sister-in-law and I initially joined driver training, neighbors made hurtful comments. If one listens to societal cynicism, one can never progress in life. Our presence behind the wheel will motivate thousands of unemployed educated women."
"A Challenge We Are Prepared to Overcome"
Postgraduate in Islamic History and Culture from Government Titumir College, Mosammat Rabeya Khatun took up driving in 2012 through a BRAC development initiative, working there until 2020 before joining BRTC as an instructor. In 2024, she secured her heavy-vehicle commercial driving license.
Though eager to speak during Tuesday’s inaugural ceremony, the wave of cyber harassment made her hesitant to appear before video cameras on Thursday. "Whether you perform well or face an unexpected hurdle, trolls will attack you," Rabeya said. "When you take on pioneering work, society immediately challenges your staying power. Overcoming this requires institutional support, strict traffic compliance by all road users, and public empathy."
Rabeya stressed that economic contribution is central to female empowerment: "In our society, women endure significant systemic bias. Earning an independent income builds dignity. In working-class households, a single breadwinner cannot sustain rising living costs. When women enter transport and commercial sectors, they pull their entire households out of vulnerability."
Several other drivers at the depot declined to speak, stating that further media exposure might trigger renewed attacks on their families. Instead of engaging in digital arguments, they reaffirmed that the smooth, disciplined operation of their buses on the chaotic streets of Dhaka will serve as the ultimate answer to their detractors.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/bangladesh/1f19cb71-e6fd-65f0-b0ef-d4fce9455a61