The pink buses, which will be an exclusive service to the female passengers, will be a big leap toward the safety and empowerment of women in the transport sector by Munger. The project was based on similar services in Patna and other districts, but it is expected to not only offer women safe, reliable, and comfortable travelling solutions but also offer them new job opportunities in the sphere of transport.
Two pink buses have already been deployed in Munger, and the services have been commenced on certain routes, according to the officials. The buses have 22 seats and operate on CNG, which encourages a friendly and affordable transport system. The difference in this service is that once the service has been fully operational, the buses will be controlled by women completely, including driving as well as collecting the ticket. According to the officials, the responsibilities of a driver and conductor will be carried out by women once the recruitment and training program is finished.
Presently, there is a crisis of skilled female staff, and thus, the buses are being driven and conducted by male employees in the meantime. Nevertheless, the District Transport Office has mentioned that the procedure of recruiting female staff is currently at its very end. Upon its completion, the pink buses will be among the few women-owned public transport services in the area, which will be a progressive move regarding gender inclusivity.
The fare system of these buses has also been declared. In the case of Munger Bariarpur road, it has charged 27 rupees. In the meantime, travellers who will be commuting between Munger and Jamalpur will pay ₹18, and those commuting between Munger and Saifabad will pay ₹9. Such low fares will most likely attract more women to utilize the facility as their commute mode, particularly students and working people.
The initiative has received acceptance by the residents, as they have indicated that women usually experience safety issues whenever travelling through the overcrowded or insecurely supervised public transportation. They add that the pink bus service will not just help lessen such risks but will also make the women feel confident to ride on their own. The attempt of the government to give women opportunities to work in traditionally male-dominated jobs, such as bus driving and ticketing, has also been valued by the local women’s groups.
The officials of transport are hopeful that the service will be extended to other routes in the foreseeable future. Provided the success is achieved, Munger might serve as an example for other districts hoping to increase the mobility and safety of women in open areas. The operation of these pink buses is a historic move towards making transportation more female-centric and safer, easier, and more empowering to the thousands of commuters across the region on a daily basis.
