Pink buses for women, 24/7 metro planned

Similar to Pink autos, Mayor R Sampath Raj is mulling to request Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) to introduce Pink Buses for women passengers.

The suggestion came up in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) special council meeting convened with the BMTC officials on Saturday.

This is one more of the Mayor’s women-friendly initiatives. Raj had earlier introduced reserved parking for women on Brigade Road, pink autos and pink baby scheme.

Channabasappa, a senior BMTC official, said a drive to include women drivers must also be launched. “There aren’t many women drivers in the city and we are planning to give interested applicants free training in driving,” he said.

Raj also said, “The pink bus scheme need not necessarily have female bus conductors and drivers only. It is for women passengers in the city.”

The council passed a resolution demanding BMTC to introduce feeder buses to all metro stations. The bus company had earlier introduced pink seats in buses exclusively for women.

MK Gunashekar, corporator, Jayamahal ward said, "The BMTC bus stands are not paying advertisement tax for the ad revenue which they have been receiving for several years. We’re losing out on tax."

Former Mayor PR Ramesh reiterated the same.

Raj said he would request Bangalore Metropolitan Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to provide 24/7 metro services. BMRCL’s chief public relations officer UA Vasanth Rao refused to comment on the proposal.