BMTC

Metro

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation

Revanna

V Ponnuraj

Karnataka State Women Commission

Seats inbuses that are pink are reserved for womenEven as thereserved entry through two doors of the front coach for women, there is more good news for women commuters. BMTC buses with pink seats are here.(BMTC) has begun operating a few buses with 13 pink-coloured seats — that have been reserved for women.Transport Minister HMhad announced recently that seats reserved for women will be pink in colour as increasingly, men were occupying seats reserved for women in BMTC buses in the city. This step is to create awareness among male commuters and to avoid embarrassment to women in buses.As a first step, women’s seats in 104 buses have turned pink. Out of this, 39 new buses have in-built pink-coloured seats and 65 old buses that were being issued fitness certificates have come back with pink seats for women commuters.Of 16 seats reserved for women, two seats behind the driver have been reserved for senior women citizen and one for differently abled women. Except for three seats, the covers of the remaining 13 have been painted pink. As only seat covers will be pink, the cost will be minimal, said a BMTC official.BMTC Managing Directorsaid, “As per the decision of the government, covers of seats reserved for women will be pink in BMTC buses. The plan is to ensure all BMTC buses have pink seats, but it will be done in a phased manner. It makes it more convenient for women to sit in such seats as pink-coloured seats will make men commuters stay away from occupying them,” he said.Lauding the state government and BMTC’s move, Nagalakshmi Bai, chairperson,, said that this move will create awareness among men commuters, who adamantly refuse to part with seats reserved for women. “Women suffer from several health problems. So having seats reserved for sure will help women bus passengers, she said.