The North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) has introduced a women-only bus service to ensure safe and comfortable travel for women commuters. The initiative was launched on Monday at the Cooch Behar Central Bus Terminus, with the inaugural route connecting Cooch Behar to Alipurduar.
This exclusive service, operated entirely by female staff, including drivers and conductors, has been well received. On its first day, the bus saw a significant number of female passengers, underscoring the need for such a service.
NBSTC plans to expand the initiative to additional routes, such as Cooch Behar to Dinhata and Jalpaiguri to Siliguri, in the coming weeks. The decision to roll out women-only buses was finalised during a board meeting in September, according to officials.
Reena Saha, a daily commuter from Cooch Behar to Alipurduar, praised the move: “This service is a great initiative for women. I hope similar services are introduced on other routes soon.”
Partha Pratim Roy, Chairman of NBSTC, highlighted the broader vision behind the project, stating, “This initiative follows the directives of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty. It is part of our commitment to providing safe and secure transport for women. More routes will be added in the future.”
The women’s special bus service reflects NBSTC’s effort to address safety concerns and improve public transportation for women in the region.
