Women special bus service not progressing

Srinagar, Jan 8: Half of the ladies special buses started by the government in 2016 have stopped plying while the remaining ones hardly find commuters.
On the directions of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, the women-exclusive bus service was started in April 2016.
Six special buses from Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) and three from private operators were operating regularly from 8 am to 6 pm on various routes.
“They have failed to properly publicize the service due to which it couldn’t become a success,” said 22-year-old science student Rabiya Ahmad.
She said the timings were not suitable authorities.
Commuters complain that these buses are sometimes seen ferrying male passengers as well.
“Some time ago, I saw male passengers in these buses,” said Farheen Khan, a research scholar at NIT, Srinagar.
An official of JKSRTC informed that private operators have already stopped their service for females.
“Government should be more proactive and chart out a proper plan if they really want female folk to avail themselves of this service,” he added.
Managing Director JKSRTC, Mir Afroz, said the buses were getting “a poor response”.
“Our buses are still operational. In fact, we recently extended this service to Ganderbal,” he said.