Women-friendly BMTC mulls 24-hour service

SOWMYA N

Women-friendly BMTC mulls 24-hour service

Vijay Times

Bangalore: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) plans to increase its women-exclusive fleet of buses to 34 from the present 17, said Upendra Tripathy, managing director, BMTC.

Speaking to Vijay Times, Tripathy said BMTC officials met Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in this regard following his announcement to introduce more special buses for women commuters at a recent phone-in programme.

He said it has yet to be decided whether or not to offer round-the-clock service so as to facilitate women employees at BPOs and call centres.

BMTC currently operates 17 special buses for working women, which ply only in the morning.

Meanwhile, the chief ministers announcement seems to have gone down well with members of the public, especially working women.

Savitramma, a typist at the Drugs Control Department said, “It is very difficult to travel in the bus during peak hours. Not only working women, even school and college girls find it difficult to travel in the rush. There is also the danger of thefts. If BMTC introduces special buses for women with 24 hour-service, it will help us travel safely and comfortably.” Triveni, a government school teacher, says, “I am pregnant and I find it very difficult to travel during peak hours. These buses will really help us.” Specially keen on the service are BPO and call centre employees, waiting with bated breath for a quick decision on whether or not BMTC will operate buses on a 24-hour schedule.

Says Ramona, who works at a call centre, “We do have office transport, but it will be a secure feeling to travel only with women than be boxed into a cab.”