North Bengal: NBSTC launches ‘ladies special’ bus service

West Bengal: The North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) has launched women-only bus services to promote safe and comfortable travel for women. The initiative kicked off from Cooch Behar Central Bus Terminus on Monday, with the first route connecting Cooch Behar to Alipurduar. The unique service is for women passengers only and will be operated by an all-women staff, including drivers and conductors.

The bus witnessed a good turnout of women passengers on the inaugural day. The NBSTC plans to extend the service to other routes including Cooch Behar to Dinhata and Jalpaiguri to Siliguri. According to NBSTC officials, the decision to introduce women-only buses was finalised during the board meeting held in September. The initiative has been enthusiastically accepted by women passengers.

Appreciating it, Reena Saha, who travels regularly from Cooch Behar to Alipurduar, said: “This service is a great initiative for women. I travel on this route daily and I hope similar services will be introduced on other routes soon.” NBSTC chairman Partha Pratim Roy threw light on the idea behind the project, saying: “This initiative follows the directives of chief minister Mamata Banerjee and transport minister Snehasish Chakraborty. The women-specific bus service is part of our commitment to ensure safe transport for women. Services will be introduced on other routes in the coming days.”