Women-only bus service launched in Mardan

MARDAN: The provincial government on Thursday inaugurated Pink bus service, which would start formal operation in the city from mid-April.

The bus service, a joint project of the provincial government and Japan, is the first women-only transport project in Pakistan, and it would run from Baghdada Chowk to Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Garden Campus.

Member Provincial Assembly Sajida Hanif inaugurated the service. Member National Assembly Shaheen Saifullah, PTI lawmakers Tufail Anjum, Malak Shaukat, Abdus Salam Afridi, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Abid Wazir, District Police Officer Muhammad Sajjad Khan, District Nazim Ihtisham Khan, Tehsil Nazim Ayub Khan, representatives of the United Nations and others were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Sajida Hanif said that the bus service is a gift for women of Mardan and would greatly facilitate them. She said the service would be available from 7 am till 7 pm.

The legislator added that CCTV cameras have been installed in the bus for security purpose.

She added that Rs20 fare was fixed for the service and 45 bus stops established for the bus in the city. In May last year, the United Nations Office for Project Services had handed over 14 pink buses worth Rs100 million to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to operate as women-only transport service in Mardan and Abbottabad districts. The launch of the service was delayed for almost a year.