Bihar Notifies 15 New Bus Routes, Launches Women-Only Pink Bus Operation 

The Bihar Transport Department has announced 15 new inter-regional routes in the state for the operation of buses under the Chief Minister's Block Scheme (Mukhyamantri Prakhand Yojana). In addition, partial modifications have also been made to three previously notified routes. These include Phulaut to Madhepura, Datmai to Bairia Bus Stand, Patna, and Nainijor to Buxar. 

The new inter-regional routes that have been notified include Sindhia Ghat to Begusarai, Matihani to Aguwani, Matihani to Alauli, Matihani to Samastipur, Narayan Pipar to Begusarai, Dulampur to Jamui, Adha to Jamui, Jamui to Lakhisarai, Dhanarua to Islampur, Dhanruo to Jamui Railway Station, Danapur to Islampur, Jamui Railway Station to Dhanarua, Dhanarua to Biharsharif, and Islampur to Dhanarua. 

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Meanwhile, the operation of special Pink Buses for women will soon be entirely in the hands of women. The Transport Department will provide training to female drivers to operate the Pink Buses. Applications for this will begin next month on December 15. 

A special two-week training will be provided from January 20 in the new year at the training centre in Aurangabad. During the training, accommodation and food for the trainee drivers will be arranged by the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC). 

After successful training, HMV (Heavy Motor Vehicle) licence holders will get the opportunity to drive Pink Buses on a contract basis. Pink Buses will now be operated in several cities, including the capital, Patna. The Transport Department will run 100 Pink Buses. 

The plan is to run 30 of these buses in Patna, 20 in Muzaffarpur, 15 each in Gaya and Darbhanga, and 10 each in Purnia and Bhagalpur. The monthly pass for the Pink Bus is set at Rs 450 for female students and Rs 550 for women and transgender individuals. There is also a facility to apply online for the pass through the 'Chalo Mobile App'. 

An instant pass can be obtained offline by paying an additional fee of Rs 20. Offline passes are available from the Bankipur and Phulwarisharif bus depots. To get a pass, female students must submit their Aadhaar card, a photograph, and a college ID card, while women must submit their Aadhaar card and a photograph. 

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Eligibility for female drivers:

* HMV (Heavy Motor Vehicle) licence holder 

* LMV (Light Motor Vehicle) licence holder with three years of experience 

* Age must be between 21 and 40 years as of January 1, 2026. 

Facilities on Pink Buses: 

* Environmentally-friendly buses running on CNG 

* Sanitary pad vending machine (pads for only Rs 5) 

* Panic button, CCTV camera, GPS tracker 

* Mobile charging point, microphone, music system 

* Contraceptive pills are also available