MULTAN, Dec 11: District Nazim Shah Mahmood Qureshi inaugurated a franchised bus service here on Tuesday.

Eighteen buses are being run initially on two routes — between Dera Adda and the General Bus Stand and between the General Bus Stand and Chowk Nag Shah.

In the second phase, 32 more buses would be inducted by Jan 15, 2002. By December 2002, there would be 100 franchise buses plying on seven city routs.

The city bus service is meant to gradually replace the van service.