A free bus service for women was inaugurated this week by Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khursheed.

“The pink service is totally free of cost and will help women save up to Rs10,000 per month in transport costs,” Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani told Aaj News.

The 44-seater buses will operate on four key routes in Gilgit and Skardu during peak hours between 6am and 9am and 1pm to 3pm.

Three buses started operating in Gilgit on October 4, Tuesday and three others will hit the road in Skardu the following week.

A woman working in the educational sector said that this service will be very economical for teachers who normally hire taxis to commute to work.

The region’s chief secretary said that this initiative is a safer and more accessible option for women. “This public service will help take many cars off the road. I believe this will prove to be a sustainable initiative,” Wani said.

The service will be extended to Hunza and Nagar by the end of the year, in addition to other regions as needed.