KKN Gurugram Desk | The Bihar government has launched a dedicated Pink Bus Service for women in the state capital Patna, marking a significant step toward promoting safe and affordable public transport for female commuters. On Friday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar flagged off 20 pink buses, connecting Patna with six neighboring districts and operating across five key urban routes.

The service, designed exclusively for women, includes female conductors, GPS tracking, emergency buttons, CCTV surveillance, and affordable ticket prices ranging from ₹6 to ₹25. The initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to women’s safety, comfort, and accessibility in urban mobility.

Key Highlights

• 20 pink buses flagged off from Patna, covering 5 routes

• Female-only travel service with women conductors onboard

• Fares begin at ₹6, with a maximum of ₹25

• Buses equipped with GPS, CCTV, panic buttons, and mobile charging

• Operated on eco-friendly CNG fuel

• Initial routes serve colleges, hospitals, railways, and commercial hubs

• Over 250 women used the service on day one

Objective: Safe, Inclusive Mobility for Women

The Pink Bus initiative is part of Bihar’s broader goal to create gender-sensitive urban infrastructure. Designed with feedback from local women commuters, the buses are meant to provide a safe, hygienic, and hassle-free commuting option.

Each bus features:

• 22 cushioned seats with panic buttons

• Onboard mobile charging points at every seat

• CCTV cameras for round-the-clock surveillance

• A GPS system connected to a central monitoring unit

• Women-only crew to enhance comfort and confidence

The move comes amid rising concerns about women’s safety in public transport and is expected to set a new benchmark in urban public transit design.

List of Operational Pink Bus Routes in Patna

1. Gandhi Maidan to Baba Chowk Route

• Gandhi Maidan

• Patna GPO

• R Block

• Income Tax Golambar

• Patna Women’s College

• Secretariat

• Rajvanshi Nagar More

• Patel Nagar

• Baba Chowk

2. Gandhi Maidan to Kurji via Boring Road

• Gandhi Maidan

• GPO

• R Block

• Income Tax

• Women’s College

• Bihar Museum

• Boring Road

• AN College

• Patliputra

• P&M Mall

• Kurji

3. NIT Patna to Kankarbagh Auto Stand

• NIT Patna

• Gandhi Maidan

• Patna Railway Station

• Kankarbagh Colony More

• Kankarbagh Auto Stand

4. Kargil Chowk to Danapur

• Kargil Chowk

• Biskoman Bhawan

• Doordarshan Centre

• Bata More

• Dak Bungalow

• Patna Planetarium

• GPO

• R Block

• Income Tax

• Women’s College

• Bihar Museum

• Hartali More

• Secretariat

• Lalit Bhawan

• Zoo

• Sheikhpura

• IGIMS

• Ashiana More

• Jagdev Path

• Gola Road

• RPS More

• Saguna More

• Danapur

5. Kargil Chowk to AIIMS Patna

• Kargil Chowk

• Biskoman Bhawan

• Dak Bungalow

• Planetarium

• GPO

• R Block

• Saptmurti

• Old Secretariat

• Chitkohra More

• Anisabad

• Khwaja Imam Mazar

• Mahavir Cancer Institute

• Phulwarisharif Block

• Valmi

• AIIMS Patna

Fares Designed for Affordability

The fare system for the pink buses has been designed to be affordable and inclusive, considering the income bracket of female daily commuters such as students, working women, and homemakers.

• Minimum Fare: ₹6

• Maximum Fare: ₹25

• Example: A trip from Gandhi Maidan to Danapur Railway Station will cost ₹25

Officials confirmed that routes were strategically selected to cover educational institutions, medical facilities, commercial zones, and tourist destinations. Plans are underway to expand the service to Rajendranagar, Hanuman Nagar, and other key localities in the next phase.

Day One Response: Encouraging Footfall

The pilot launch witnessed a strong response, with over 250 women passengers boarding the pink buses across Patna. Commuters expressed satisfaction with the facilities and emphasized how the presence of female conductors made them feel more at ease.

Feedback from passengers included:

“It’s the first time I’ve traveled without constantly being alert. The women-only setup is really comforting.”
– Nisha Kumari, student at Patna University

Technology-Driven Safety Features

The Pink Bus project prioritizes women’s security, incorporating smart technology to assist in monitoring and emergency response.

Installed Features:

• GPS tracking for real-time location monitoring

• CCTV surveillance to record activity inside the bus

• Emergency alarm buttons at every seat

• Panic button integration with control rooms

• Mobile charging ports to ensure device connectivity

These buses are also operated on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), reinforcing Bihar’s push toward green and sustainable mobility.

Why the Pink Bus Initiative Matters

1. Enhancing Women’s Access to Public Spaces

Surveys show that lack of safety in public transport is one of the biggest barriers to women’s mobility in India. This initiative makes daily travel more secure, encouraging greater participation in education and employment.

2. Economic Empowerment

With low fares, women from all income backgrounds can access key locations in the city, including government offices, universities, and hospitals.

3. Employment for Women

The recruitment of female conductors is not only symbolic but also practical. It opens up a new employment avenue and strengthens the gender inclusivity of Bihar’s public sector workforce.

Future Plans and Expansion

The Bihar government has indicated that, based on the success of this phase, more buses and routes will be added. Areas currently under review for inclusion include:

• Rajendranagar

• Kadamkuan

• Digha

• Hanuman Nagar

There are also proposals to integrate the Pink Bus network with the upcoming Smart City e-Mobility Grid, allowing for better connectivity and ticketing.

Public Reception and Policy Impact

Initial reviews of the Pink Bus Service from the public and local officials have been overwhelmingly positive. Transportation experts consider the service a model for gender-responsive urban development.

Urban policy analysts note:

“This is not just a transport solution; it’s a social reform mechanism. Empowering women to travel freely is a step toward equitable cities.”

The Patna Pink Bus Service is more than just another public transport option—it is a bold step toward safer streets, empowered women, and inclusive urban mobility. With modern features, reasonable pricing, and targeted route planning, this initiative could become a national model for similar cities looking to prioritize gender in public infrastructure.