Saritha’s drive encourages DTC to hire more women

NEW DELHI: DTC’s experience with its sole woman driver, V Saritha, has prompted it to hire more women for its fleet. The state bus agency’s board recently decided to relaunch a drive to recruit women drivers.
Saritha drives on route 543 and is part of the Sarojini Nagar depot. According to her seniors, she has an excellent track record.The state bus agency hired Saritha in April last year.
A recruitment drive had been launched in December 2014 for the same. But only seven women had applied.
This year, DTC plans to publicise the recruitment drive better. Those with a light motor vehicle (LMV) licence can also apply.
“If selected, DTC will train the candidate and help her get a licence to drive heavy vehicles,” said DTC spokesperson R S Minhas.
The women will be trained for six months and willhave to qualify in a test.
If successful, DTC will help them procure a commercial licence for heavy motor vehicle.
It will also help them get the public service vehicle (PSV) badge from the transport department. The PSV is mandatory for drivers of all public transport vehicles in Delhi.
“We will put up an advertisement for the recruitment soon,” said Minhas.
The recruitment will be done in collaboration with a private company, Sakha Cabs, which runs a transport solutions agency for women in the city.