The KPK government has finally launched the ‘Pink Bus Service’ for women in Mardan on 4th April 2019.
The idea of facilitating the women of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a separate transport service has been making rounds since 2015 but couldn’t get underway due to technical issues. But finally, the launching ceremony of Pink Bus Service was held at Pakhtunkhwa House where provincial minister Sajida Hanif inaugurated the exclusive service for women. Several other members of the provincial assembly, government officials and DPO Sajjad Khan were also present at this occasion. While speaking to the media on this occasion, Sajida Hanif told that it’s a moment of honor for Mardan to become the first ever city to have the exclusive transport service for women. She added that the newly introduced service would facilitate and help in empowering the women of the province. She also presented the idea of increasing the number of buses in the near future.
The project was inaugurated in 2017 but got delayed as the government was looking for a competent firm to carry out the job. Currently, the Japanese government has provided 14 buses to the KP government. However, 7 of these will be operated in Mardan whereas the rest of them will be used for the same purpose in Abbottabad. The Japanese government also issued funds for the project which were used to construct 15 bus stops in Mardan. Initially, the service is launched with 3 buses but 4 more will be added from 8th April 2019. These buses are air-conditioned with accommodation of 19 seats. To add further safety and security for the women passengers, a mobile App is available which can track the location of a particular bus. A very nominal fare of Rs.20 is set for using the service which will be driven by the male drivers accompanied by female conductors. The Pink Bus Service has its terminals located at Baghdad Chowk and Wali Khan University (Garden Campus).
Departing from Baghdad Chowk, the bus will go through the following:
- Girls Primary School
- Government Girls Degree College
- Maqam Chowk
- Malakand Chowk
- Abdul Qadeer Khan Chowk
- College Chowk
- Bacha Khan Chowk
- Ansi College Chowk
- BISE Mardan
- Bacha Khan Medical College
- Sports Complex Mardan
- Peshawar Model School
- Wali Khan University (Garden Campus).
The KPK government has given the task of inspection to TransPeshawar which has appointed a local company to supervise the operations. However, TransPeshawar will be responsible for recruiting drivers and support staff.
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