Sindh’s pink buses – women to be in the driving seat, literally!

Karachi: The Sindh government has decided to appoint women drivers for women-only pink bus service to enhance a sense of safety and convenience among women during travel in these buses.

The decision was taken at the 10th board meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority in Karachi which was presided over by Sindh Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Memon. The meeting decided that a training programme for women drivers would soon be initiated.

Empowering women in all fields was the vision of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he added. The meeting also considered providing subsidies for the People’s Bus Service following the approval by the cabinet.

The board discussed the feasibility studies for the second phase of the Peoples Bus Service, which includes the addition of 500 buses as well as the introduction of an environment-friendly electric taxi service.

Memon said implementation of the second phase of the People’s Bus Service was expected to significantly reduce travel problems for the people, bringing relief to the public.

The transport minister further stated that the introduction of an environment-friendly electric taxi service would not only create a positive environmental impact but also generatenew employment opportunities.

Moreover, the SMTA board meeting also reviewed the progress of the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

The meeting was attended by Transport Secretary Saleem Rajput, SMTA Managing Director Kamal Dayo, Traffic Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic Ahmed Nawaz Cheema, planning and development department representative Sikandar Shaikh and Karachi Transport Chief Executive Officer Tufail Paliju.