KSRTC announces Pink Bus service for women following success of Priyadarshini bus; service to begin on Thursday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After launching the Priyadarshini free bus travel scheme, the KSRTC is set to introduce a 'Pink Bus' service for women on a trial basis. The service will be launched on Thursday at 1 pm at the Thiruvananthapuram Central Depot as part of the UDF government's 100-day action programme. Transport Minister C.P. John will inaugurate the service.

In the first phase, the Pink Bus will operate on the Thiruvananthapuram-Technopark route. The bus will run via East Fort, Thampanoor, Pattom, Medical College (RCC), Ulloor, Kazhakkoottam, Technopark, Infosys, Lulu Mall and KIMS Hospital.

A service to Technopark will depart at 9.05 pm. The return service from Technopark to Thiruvananthapuram will leave at 10 pm. From the following day, services to Technopark will begin from 4 am.

Transport Minister C.P. John said the service was introduced based on a request from the organisation Prathidhwani. He said the service would benefit women arriving by late-night trains, women employees working in different parts of the city, women returning after late-night movie shows, patients travelling to hospitals, and their bystanders.

New Link Fast Passenger buses from the Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam depots have been allocated for the Pink Bus service. The minister also said KSRTC is considering introducing seat reservations and electric buses in the future to ensure timely and reliable services.