Pakistani cities start bus service for women

ISLAMABAD - A bus service exclusively for women has been launched in Pakistan’s twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The buses sport stickers that say: “Decent public transport for women.”

The bus service was inaugurated at the Traffic Headquarters at Race Course in Rawalpindi Thursday. The drivers have been provided special caps and nameplates.

Over 45 percent of Pakistan’s 170 million people are women.

The Daily Times quoted official Muhammad Azam as saying that initially 10 buses would be included in the fleet.

He said the pilot project has been launched for 40 days and special training has been imparted to the bus staff so that they deal with women with respect and dignity.