Women-only buses to hit Karachi roads from February 01
KARACHI: Recently, a women-only culture has been on the rise in the country of over 220 million, with masses increasingly seeking out women-only rides for daily commutes, especially in significant metropolises where millions travel daily.
To facilitate women in a men-dominated society, the Sindh government has announced the Pink Bus project; the bus service will hit roads of the country’s financial capital Karachi, home of around 15 million residents.
The project aimed to woo women across a broad spectrum of regions who travel within the city by bus. The project garnered praise from groups struggling for gender equality and women’s rights as the operations are expected to start from February 01 under the Sindh government’s transport department.
PPP leader and Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, who recently was hospitalized for a medical procedure, took to social media to announce the development. “Inshallah, Pink buses will start their operation from February 01 in Karachi,” Memon wrote, sharing a series of pink-themed compact buses.
Peoples Bus Service, At Your Service, he touted the project, which will help address women’s issues in the southeastern region.
Transport department government of Sindh is going to start Pakistan’s First bus service only for the women and girls exclusively. Inshallah Pink buses will start their operation from 1st February in #Karachi. Peoples Bus Service, At Your Service. pic.twitter.com/6T1rQUK3qm
— Sharjeel Inam Memon (@sharjeelinam) January 26, 2023
Delving into the details, Memon revealed that these buses would run from Model Colony to Tower while provincial authorities planned to expand routes in the coming days. Minister further asked Sindh Mass Transit Authority officials to visit the remaining courses of the People’s Bus Service in the provincial capital and review the repair work for the much-hyped project.
During office hours, the buses will run every 20 minutes and every hour during the other hours.
Karachiites also praised the Pink Bus project, a crucial step forward in addressing the travel needs and concerns of working women in the port city. The government also dubbed it a symbol of its promises to promote gender equality and create a more inclusive society.
Electric bus service launched in Karachi
Earlier this year, the Sindh government rolled out the first route of the electric bus service under the same Peoples Bus Service programme, which will be run from Karachi Airport to Seaview.
Covering around 250 kilometres from a single charge, the eco-friendly buses operate from Tank Chowk near Jinnah Avenue to Airport, Sharea Faisal, FTC, Korangi Road, Khayaban-i Ittehad to reach Clock Tower at Seaview.
