All APSRTC buses to have women’s section

Hyderabad: The special section for women passengers (seats divided by a glass partition) which was introduced in 20 city buses will now being extended to all the 2,600 city buses.

Meanwhile, an additional feature of a sliding door to the women’s section has been introduced on a trial basis and the first bus with the new feature was run on Sunday. Currently, the Corporation has introduced a sliding door facility to the women’s section in nine buses, to make the passage more comfortable and safe.

APSRTC V-C and MD inspected the women-friendly city buses with a special section for women passengers, at the Rathifile bus station on Sunday and sought women passengers’ feedback on these additions. The sliding door feature will be added to all buses plying on high volume routes, as it gives exclusivity to women passengers.

“The special features cost Rs 16,000 to Rs 17,000 per bus. Meanwhile, the special section for women passengers which covers 40 per cent of the seats, making them exclusively available for the women passengers, will be extended to all the 2,600 city buses,” said APSRTC V-C and MD J. Purnachandra  Rao.

The official, who inspected the buses at the Rathifile bus station on Sunday, found that the women passengers are happy with the exclusive space provided to them. “On inspection of the sliding door facility, I found college going students happy as they can move freely,” said the official.