Female commuters happy, user group wants more buses

Kolkata: The state's new BJP govt's decision to offer free rides to women on state buses has received a warm response, but many hoped that the new regime would also solve the chronic shortages of state buses that are crippling the service in the city.Indira Sarkar, a govt high school teacher from Thakurpukur, praised it as "undoubtedly a good initiative taken by the new govt." Yet, she urged action: "I use the state bus services plying on the 12D route from Howrah. But buses are very few and I request the govt to increase the fleet so that working women like me can make the most of this initiative."Kankurgachhi's Jayita Biswas, teacher at a Howrah school, echoed frustrations: "Waiting for govt buses simply wastes our time, so we take private buses and autos. Women will feel the benefit once the new govt improves the poor state bus services."Kolkata-bus-o-pedia, a social media group of bus lovers that has over 1.5 lakh members, has been swamped with comments from women congratulating the move. "We have received many requests asking if the same service can be introduced even in private buses. But there is a concern among working women regarding the dip in govt bus services post evening. We hope to work with the new transport minister, whenever he is appointed, on the feedback we have received," said Aniket Banerjee, the general secretary.The joint Council of Bus Syndicate, meanwhile, has urged the state govt to heed PM Narendra Modi's appeal and introduce odd and even private vehicles to encourage public transport. "This will save energy and shift women from cabs to public transport," said Tapan Banerjee.Lawyer Sayantani Banerjee, commuting from Golf Green to Calcutta High Court, sees savings: "I can cut down on my daily expense, cashing in on the new initiative that will charge no fare from women for availing state bus services. But the availability of adequate state buses till night must be ensured."Students and IT workers piled on. Jadavpur University undergraduate student Riya Das stated: "Free buses mean I can save pocket money for books — huge for us girls from middle-class homes. But on my JU-Salt Lake route, buses vanish after 8pm; we need more evening services or we'll stick to pricey apps."Techie Priya Roy, at Salt Lake's Sector V, added: "As an IT employee juggling 9-to-6 shifts, this slashes my Rs 200 daily fare. This is an amazing win for me. Still, fleets on 214/215 routes disappear during peak hours. If this keeps happening then we will have to keep choosing private cabs."