In Dhaka and Chattogram, families continue to face daily challenges when it comes to getting their children to school, with safety and long travel times being top concerns. Pupil School Bus Ltd., a transportation startup established in 2023, is dedicated to solving these issues through a structured and technology-driven approach.
Initially operating with two microbuses catering to 50 students in Chattogram, the company has expanded its services to transport approximately 6,000 students in both cities. Parents can utilize the company’s app to track the school buses in real-time, access route information, and even view live video feeds. Moreover, each school trip is accompanied by trained female guides to assist younger children during boarding and disembarking. Abdur Rashid Sohag, the founder, highlighted, “Parents can monitor the vehicle’s location through the app and have peace of mind knowing that a trained guide is accompanying their child.”
After receiving a BDT 80 lakh grant from the a2i Innovation Challenge, Pupil collaborated with BRTC to operate 10 double-decker buses in Chattogram, as mentioned by Sohag. The company has secured funding totaling over BDT 1.14 crore from various sources, including a2i, the iDEA Project, Oxfam, and BYLC Ventures.
Originally serving 1,000 students, Pupil’s services now benefit 3,000 students, with an additional 3,000 utilizing the company’s microbus fleet. Despite this growth, the demand continues to surpass the available supply. Sohag expressed, “In Dhaka alone, we could introduce 20 more microbuses immediately if we had the necessary resources,” noting ongoing discussions with local authorities and international investors, including Accelerating Asia.
Pupil ensures the safety of its vehicles by conducting regular engine and cylinder checks, screening drivers, and imposing a speed limit of 40 km/h. Guides oversee driver conduct, and backup vehicles are promptly dispatched in case of any breakdowns. Monthly fees for Pupil services in Chattogram vary between BDT 3,000-4,500 for microbuses and BDT 500-1,300 for BRTC buses, which are higher compared to conventional vans. The company justifies the increased cost by emphasizing the enhanced safety measures in place. To further reduce expenses, Pupil plans to introduce electric school buses through a partnership with Palki Motors by 2026, offering features such as air conditioning and app-based functionalities at prices 20-30% lower than current rates.
Looking forward, Pupil aims to enroll an additional 10,000 students by 2025 and expand its services to reach 100,000 students nationwide by 2028. Additionally, the company is actively developing a software platform for other school transport providers to adopt its system and safety protocols.