How To Make Bengaluru Safer? Transport Corp Conducts Survey

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation has received a grant from the central government’s Nirbhaya fund for safety initiatives in the city. The corporation is conducting a survey to seek citizens’ suggestions on various aspects of safety.

BMTC is carrying out the survey in collaboration with Bangalore Political Action Committee.

The Centre has allocated close to Rs 57 crore to BMTC for programs that will ensure safety for women in the city. Some of these initiatives include installation of CCTV cameras inside buses. This project was put on hold for long due to lack of funds

The corporation is also going to launch new buses with built-in surveillance systems. Even old buses will go through a process of revamp when they go for their annual Fitness Certificate checkup.

“There is no reason why with a staff strength of around 35,000, we should not have at least 10,000 women employees. We want to train women to be drivers, conductors and handle roles in the field. With a driving licence after training with the BMTC, they can even look at operating last mile connectivity options like cab services,” said M Nagaraju Yadav, Chairman, BMTC, The New Indian Express reported.

BMTC has a total of 6,000 buses. There are around 51 lakh bus services users on a daily basis.

“There are a lot of problems, specially for women while travelling in buses. Even the staff is rude and dismissive at times and feeling safe, when the staff is not supportive, is definitely not possible. Women drivers and conductors must increase.”  

The corporation will also focus on developing an app for women. Gender sensitization programmes for its entire staff are also on cards. It promises to build lounges for women passengers to feel safe while waiting for their buses.

The survey, conducted by the two organisations, will give a peak into which services the passengers feel closely related to and want. It is being conducted both online and offline -- at various bus stops in Bengaluru.

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“We are also welcoming inputs from other organisations and passengers regarding these issues. Only after discussions, we will decide how the funds will be disbursed,” Yadav said.

The city’s bus commuters hope the survey will bring positive changes. “There are a lot of problems, specially for women while travelling in buses. Even the staff is rude and dismissive at times and feeling safe -- when the staff is not supportive -- is definitely not possible. Women drivers and conductors must increase,” said Trisha Chatterjee, a daily bus commuter.

Picture credit- The Hindu