PHUKET'S innovative ''pinkie bus'' service is now operating on a third route, allowing more people to use the low-cost public transport system that currently criss-crosses Phuket City.

The system rolling out in Phuket's capital on the east coast contrasts with the lack of a similar service on the west coast, where residents and tourists are left with no alternative except much more expensive tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis.

The third ''pinkie'' bus service route, which began late last week, carries passengers from the sea gypsy village on Koh Sireh, east of Phuket City, to Saphan Hin public park, home to sports facilities and schools, and long regarded as Phuket City's community festivals centre.

The new route interconnects with previously established routes on a network that takes in the bypass road to Big C supermarket and Thepkasattri Road to the SuperCheap supermarket.

The fare: 10 baht for adults, free for schoolchildren.

Phuketwan tested part of the new service at the weekend with a busload of officials and media - or we should say a seung taew load of officials and media.

The eight new 1.1 million vehicles will undertake 80 round trips each day between 6am and 8pm, passing the soon-to-open Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation Hospital, the Phuket mangrove monkey reserve and the under-construction Sea Gypsy Museum along the way.

Pink buses are helping to make Phuket roads safer and less crowded. Services have been eagerly embraced by residents and tourists who appreciate the elevated view that a bus ride gives passengers of their Phuket surroundings.

Administrative organisation chief executive Paiboon Upatising said that many people now have the choice between the new service, or getting where they need to go more quickly by catching a motorcycle taxi.

A fourth route is planned, between the old Phuket City bus station in Phang Nga Road and the new Phuket city bus station in Thepkasattri Road.