The Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is planning to launch ‘Pink Bus’ with women conductors exclusively for women to travel. The service aimed at ensuring a safe journey for women will be launched in Thiruvananthapuram and the buses will be painted in pink with the name ‘Pink Bus’ on it. If found successful, the services will be extended to Kochi and other cities. Pink Bus is the brainchild of KSRTC’s new Chairman and Managing Director M.G. Rajamanickam, IAS.
A KSRTC official confirmed the development to The Kochi Post and said that works for the same are progressing at the Central Workshop of KSRTC in the Capital and the services will be launched very soon. The official refused to divulge more details.
Mr. Rajamanickam was not available for comment at the time of the story going to the press.
Deccan Chronicle earlier reported that KSRTC is on the look out for women drivers also but failed to identify any. The report also mentioned that the buses will be of ordinary class and will be run during peak hours on demand routes within Thiruvananthapuram city initially.
KSRTC recently launched ‘Sabari’ services aimed at Ayyappa devotees to travel non-stop to Pamba and back from Pamba to major destinations across the State. Aanavandi Blog reports that unlike its other fleets, the ‘Sabari’ buses are designed and themed after nature. The attempt is to spread awareness among people about the need to protect the eco-sensitive Periyar Reserve Forest. Messages exhorting pilgrims not to use plastic bottles and the like will also be displayed on the Sabari buses – also the brainchild of the Mr. Rajamanickam.
Earlier, The Gender Park, an initiative of the Kerala Government’s Department of Social Justice had launched the ‘She Taxi’ service in 2013 to offer a safe journey for women through cabs driven by women.
Main photograph by unknown.
