In Sindh, female drivers will take the wheel of ‘women-only’ pink buses.

The Sindh government has taken a significant step towards ensuring the safety and convenience of women travelers by introducing female drivers for their exclusive women-only pink bus service.

During the tenth board meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority in Karachi, chaired by the Minister for Information and Transport, Sharjeel Memon, the decision to empower women through this initiative was unanimously agreed upon. To prepare the newly appointed female drivers for their responsibilities, a comprehensive training program will be implemented, equipping them with the necessary skills to efficiently operate the pink buses and cater to the specific needs of women passengers.

The pink bus service’s initial route will connect Model Colony to Tower, with plans to expand it further to cover routes 4, 5, 6, and 7 in the near future. Ensuring reliability and convenience, the service will operate every 20 minutes during office hours and hourly thereafter, providing women with transportation options irrespective of the time of day.

Launched under the management of the Sindh government’s transport department on February 1 in Karachi, the pink bus service represents a crucial stride towards fostering an environment where women can actively participate in the workforce and contribute to the country’s progress.

To make the service more accessible, the fare has been set at Rs50, and the buses are designed to accommodate the needs of physically challenged individuals, offering two dedicated spaces free of charge. Moreover, children under the age of five will enjoy free travel on these buses. With seating capacity for 24 women and the ability to accommodate an additional 36 standing passengers during peak hours, the pink buses are poised to serve as a symbol of empowerment and gender equality in Sindh.