Synopsis
In Mysuru, the KSRTC has issued a directive to ensure that men can access their reserved seats on buses after complaints of women occupying them. This follows the introduction of the Shakti scheme, which offers free travel for women, leading to increased female ridership.Key Takeaways
- Men's reserved seats are now enforced by KSRTC.
- The Shakti scheme allows free travel for women.
- Complaints led to the new directive
- Authorities must submit action reports.
- Significant increase in female passengers noted.
Mysuru (Karnataka), Feb 21 (NationPress) In response to a complaint regarding female passengers occupying designated seats for male riders, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Mysuru City Division has issued a directive on Friday mandating staff to guarantee that men can access their allocated seats on buses.
When the Shakti scheme was launched in 2023, providing free travel for women, the Karnataka government directed all transport agencies, excluding the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), to allocate 50 percent of the seats for men, as they typically pay for their fare.
While women were permitted to use the seats reserved for men, they were required to vacate them if a male passenger wished to sit.
However, the situation did not proceed as the government had anticipated, leading to men having to stand even with seats reserved for them.
Consequently, the government has chosen to address this issue and ensure that men receive their entitled seating.
The order from Friday, issued by the Divisional Controller of the Mysuru City Unit, follows a complaint lodged at the headquarters by a commuter named Vishnuvardhana S.
In his complaint, Vishnuvardhana S claimed that seats allocated for men in Mysuru City buses were being occupied by female passengers, thereby obstructing male commuters from sitting.
The new directive instructs staff to take necessary measures to ensure that male passengers can access their reserved seats. Authorities have also been asked to provide a report on the actions taken.
Sources indicate that this issue has arisen due to the Shakti free travel initiative for women. With a notable rise in the number of female passengers, men are reportedly finding it challenging to secure seats on buses.
The Karnataka Shakti scheme, which was launched on June 11, 2023, by the Congress government, offers complimentary bus travel for women throughout the state, aiming to enhance their mobility and empowerment.
This flagship initiative has seen remarkable success, reaching a milestone of 350 crore beneficiaries by December 2024. The scheme’s popularity has also led to a significant increase in the RTC’s average daily ridership, rising from 85 lakh to 1.16 crore.
