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To encourage women riders, the BSRTC plans to issue monthly passes of Rs 450 for girl students and Rs 500 for working women – not only for pink buses but for other BSRTC ones too. The bus fare ranges from Rs 6 and to Rs 25 for one-way. (Express photo by Raushanraunak)
It’s a hot summer afternoon and at the bus stand near Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, a queue of women is slowly snaking its way into a waiting bubble gum pink bus. ‘Kewal Mahilaon Ke Liye (For Women Only)’, the bold white words displayed prominently on the front and back of the bus say, just in case the colour and women-only queues are insufficient to explain whom the vehicle is meant for.
Unrolled by the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on May 16 for six Bihar cities, the bus is meant to be an all women initiative: not only women passengers but also conductors but also nodal officers, and eventually, drivers too. For women, it offers a safer ride.
As the bus pulls out of the stop, Anshu Kumari, 19, curiously peers out of the window. This is her first ride on Bihar’s pink bus — a Bihar State Road Transport Corporation Limited (BSRTC) initiative meant for women.
CREADIT BY THE INDIAN EXPRESS NEWS
