BENGALURU: For the first time in the state, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) offered a special privilege for women passengers with day-long free commute, to mark ‘International Women’s Day’.
Divisional Controller Nagaraj Murthy and staff of the Central division wished the women passengers and distributed sweets and chocolates.
Central Depot divisional controller Nagaraj Murthy, “Women are the main reason to all of us live on the Earth. Mother is the first teacher. As we all have heard, ‘Behind every successful man, there is a woman’. Women are the strength of this nation and to honour, them, the BMTC offered a day-long free bus rides for women passengers from Wednesday 12 am to Thursday 12 am. We want to make the day even more special for them, and more importantly, to spread a message of giving equal importance to women”.
The transport utility has over 10.21 lakh regular daily passengers, but on Wednesday, it expected more than 20 lakh women will use the buses to reach their destination. The free commute was available in Vayu Vajra, Vajra and Bengaluru Darshini services.
Women passengers enjoyed free bus travel and some those Public TV spoke to expressed happiness about the free ride. A woman passenger said, “It is good gesture from the government, I am feeling proud being a woman”.
Another said, “We are happy that we are recognised and respected on this day”. Yet another passenger said, “It feels special to take a round in the city for free. This is the first time that free rides have been offered by BMTC”.
“I did not know about free service earlier. When I boarded the bus, I was surprised with the special treatment. It is a good step taken by BMTC and thank them for recognising each women”, another passenger said.