Women | Rukhshana Media says a Taliban halt on Tunis minibuses across 16 Kabul routes has left women facing crowding and refusals. Not yet confirmed by other sources

ACW | October 21, 2026 — Rukhshana Media reported on Wednesday, October 21, that the Taliban's halt on "Tunis" passenger minibuses on 16 routes in Kabul, including Dasht-e Barchi, has made travel harder for women.

According to Rukhshana, the Taliban's Ministry of Transport and Aviation stopped the minibuses on routes such as Dasht-e Barchi, Mirwais Maidan, Qambar Square, Pul-e Sokhta and Pohantoon from the Afghan month of Sawr this year. Mercedes minibuses were brought in from other parts of Kabul instead.

The ministry said the decision was made "to regulate and facilitate urban transport services." But women who spoke to Rukhshana said there are now fewer vehicles and more crowding.

The women said some drivers drop them off before their destination, refuse to take them after dark, or ask them to pay for several seats. One woman told Rukhshana a driver refused her, asking why a woman was out so late in the evening.

Another woman, who Rukhshana says may lose her job, said her parents have repeatedly asked her to resign. Rukhshana changed the women's names for their safety.

A driver on the route told Rukhshana that the Barchi road is narrow and that traffic jams and fuel costs make the work harder. The report does not say whether the Taliban's transport ministry was asked to respond to the women's complaints.

Background: Rukhshana notes that the Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice ordered drivers in December 2021 not to carry women without "appropriate" hijab. On October 20, the European Union called for an unconditional reversal of Taliban restrictions on women and girls.

Why it matters: According to Rukhshana, Dasht-e Barchi has nearly two million residents, and transport problems are putting some working women at risk of losing their jobs. Freedom of movement underpins women's access to work, education and health care.

This report has not yet been confirmed by other sources.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Source: Rukhshana Media — Tunis minibuses halted on the Barchi route, adding to women's burden

Photo: Rukhshana Media