Srinagar, June 16. Despite the government’s announcement of free rides for female passengers in Smart City buses across Srinagar, several women complain that these buses often fail to stop for them, especially during peak hours.
A group of female commuters said they were left stranded at MA Road on Sunday evening after multiple Smart City buses passed them without stopping, even as they signaled and called out to the drivers. “We kept waving, hoping one of them would halt, but none did,” said a visibly upset lady to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, adding that it felt like they were invisible.
The situation was finally resolved when a traffic cop on duty intervened. “We are thankful to the traffic cop who helped us stop one of the buses bearing registration number JK01AY-9765. Without his help, we might have waited indefinitely,” another commuter said.
The incident sheds light on a larger issue. While the government has offered free travel for women in these public buses to encourage safer, affordable commuting, the ground reality appears different. Eyewitnesses say that several drivers show little concern for female passengers waiting at designated bus stops.
“This isn’t a one-off case. I have noticed it multiple times, drivers just ignore women waiting at stops, especially in the evening,” said a local shopkeeper who runs a business near Exchange Road.
Commuters and civil society members have urged the Smart City administration and the transport department to take immediate corrective steps, including sensitization of drivers and strict monitoring, to ensure that the scheme truly benefits its intended recipients. [KNT]
