Dhallywood Actress Afia Nusrat Barsha Praises New Women-Operated Pink Bus Service in Bangladesh

DHAKA — The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has launched its dedicated “Pink Bus” service in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Bogura, an initiative exclusively featuring female drivers and conductors to facilitate women’s employment and self-reliance.

The service, which debuted on Tuesday, August 18, at the BRTC depot in Tejgaon, Dhaka, is reserved strictly for female passengers. The project has drawn significant public praise for its focus on gender-inclusive economic empowerment.

Dhaliwal actress Afia Nusrat Barsha has publicly endorsed the initiative, highlighting the importance of professional opportunities for women. In a social media post, the actress expressed her appreciation for the service, noting that while pink is not her preferred color, the empowerment behind the initiative caught her attention.

Barsha stated that seeing women operate these buses serves as a powerful inspiration, encouraging others to pursue ambitious career paths. Addressing the perceived gender roles in transport, she emphasized that women already command private vehicles, aircraft, and helicopters, and they are fully capable of operating public buses with equal efficiency.

She further remarked that securing respectable employment remains a challenge for many women, making the Pink Bus project a significant step toward addressing these societal barriers. According to the actress, the core value lies in the dignity of labor, asserting that women should take pride in their work regardless of the nature of the task.

The actress expressed her desire to travel on the service as a passenger in the future, while offering words of encouragement to the female operators. She urged them to perform their duties with courage and success, expressing hope that their visibility will inspire a new generation of women to achieve financial independence and foster confidence in their capabilities.