In Dhaka’s congested and chaotic transportation scene, a new service exclusively for women is set to launch, promising a safer and more reliable commuting option.
Women’s Shuttle, founded by entrepreneur Tasnia Atique, aims to address the long-standing issue of women’s safety in public transport.
However, despite initial excitement, the pricing model has sparked widespread debate, particularly on social media, raising concerns about the service’s affordability and accessibility.
A service designed for safety
The Women’s Shuttle will operate air-conditioned vehicles on 12 routes across Dhaka, targeting high-traffic areas like Mirpur, Gulshan, Bashundhara, and Uttara.
These vehicles will feature enhanced safety measures such as female security personnel, IP surveillance cameras, fire extinguishers, and sanitary napkins to ensure a comfortable and secure environment for women commuters.
Responding to the need for consistent, safe, and affordable transport, Tasnia designed the service to depart from the unpredictable fare structure of popular ride-sharing platforms.
Instead, the shuttle will run on a fixed daily fare through a minimum 20-day subscription, offering both single-trip and round-trip options.
Price: A barrier to accessibility?
While the service received an overwhelming response, with over 1,000 inquiries within 21 hours of the announcement, enthusiasm waned after the pricing was revealed.
The daily fare is set at Tk250 for a one-way trip and Tk500 for a round trip.
However, a special promotional launch discount offers a Tk100 reduction, making the round-trip fare Tk400 for the first month.
Despite the promise of safety, the high cost raised concerns among potential customers, especially working women.
With a monthly subscription costing around Tk12,500, many fear that this service is out of reach for those earning less than Tk40,000 per month, especially considering the city’s rising cost of living.
Some potential users, particularly on social media, voiced their concerns about whether the service is priced fairly for the working-class demographic it intends to serve.
One social media user remarked: “Thanks, I’d rather take Uber or CNG or bike! Don’t wanna spend 15k a month just because it’s pink,” while another referred to the service as a “cash-grabbing” venture.
Critics argue that Tk12,500 per month is unsustainable for many working women, despite the value-added services.
Mixed reactions
While some see the shuttle as a valuable service for women’s empowerment, others suggest that to attract and retain customers, Women’s Shuttle may need to reconsider its pricing model.
Ideas such as reducing security personnel on less critical trips or offering more flexible subscription plans were among the suggestions to cut costs and broaden the service’s appeal.
Amidst the criticism, Women’s Shuttle remains optimistic.
In a statement addressing the pricing backlash, they emphasized that the service garnered 1,500 sign-ups within its first 24 hours.
They also hinted at more announcements to come, including cheaper single-return options.
In a social media post, it said: “Our expert team is optimistic that we will soon be able to launch a second package specifically for women in Dhaka, priced between Tk100-150. But this process takes time. We need more time and a lot of effort to make this happen.”
As Dhaka’s women wait for the service to officially launch, the debate surrounding its pricing underscores a broader issue—how to make safety both affordable and sustainable in a city where transportation remains an everyday challenge.
