Thane Municipal Transport plans to start 50 ladies special buses in city, seeks state financial assistance

Thane: The Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) is planning to start nearly 50 new ladies special buses. The TMT has sought the state’s financial assistance to acquire this.
This decision comes after the state had announced to help civic bodies to promote ladies special services. A special Tejaswini scheme was also floated by finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar to aid civic corporations including Thane, Navi Mumbai, etc.
The number of women commuters in the city is huge. TMT officials said that nearly 35% of its total passengers.
‘‘The state has assured to provide financial assistance in aquiring buses that will be deployed for women. We are interested in aquiring nearly 50 buses and have sent a request to the state already,’’ said a senior transport official from the TMT.
As per initial plans, services will begin at both profitable as well as deserted routes which pose a threat for women commuters, especially during nonpeak hours.
The civic body currently has three special buses for women, which operates from Thane station to Vrundavan Society, Pawar Nagar and Kharegaon. The first two operate in the morning, while the Kharegaon bus operates in the evening. General buses also have 33% reservation for women.
The timing of these buses will be linked to the ladies special local services of the Central Railway. We have to plan the routes properly and also create awareness among women regarding schedules of these buses, said an official.
The administration is now working on preparaing a proposal that will be presented before the general body and transport committee for an approval, following which it will seek the state’s assistance in aquiring the buses.