In the wake of ongoing crime cases against women city administration is trying hard to provide a safe and smooth public transport system for Ranchi women but ironically city women are showingleast interest in availing these services.
The women special bus was started with much pomp and show with the objective of ensuring safety of women while using public transport systems but it is not getting success in achieving its goal as the bus majority seats remains vacant in its entire trip.
Women special bus conductor Indu Devi Said, “I try to convince female passengers to avail this bus service as it is specially launched for them but majority of them prefer to opt for other city buses. I shout out loud to inform the people about the bus but my all efforts are going in vain.”
According to Anil Kumar who is in-charge of running the city bus within the city, residents of Ranchi do not want to adopt new services. They are ready to face voyeurism while travelling but cannot avail safe means of transportation.
Meanwhile, when local female commuters were inquired about the reason behind not availing women special bus service it was found that they find it a slow means of transport.
Reema Devi who was standing at Kutchery bus stand for the city bus said, “The bus does not move unless it boards enough passengers as a result of this we fail to reach our destination on time. In this fast life it is not feasible to waste our precious time in search of other passengers.”
Echoing her, another lady said, “life is a race and one minute delay in not affordable as we have to manage our home as well as office.”
looking at the poor response of the local commuters towards ladies special bus Jharkhand State Tourism Development Corporation (JSTDC) is not planning to increase its number in near future.
Officer at JSTDC Sanjeev Kumar Sinha said, “There is no plan to increase the bus number as people are not showing much interest in it. Our prime focus is to spread awareness and attract more passengers.”