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Rough ride on a tough road
Number of women conductors compared to women bus drivers is high. They feel the job can’t get any rough especially during night shifts. “I came only because I have one child, my husband died, I have not much of a choice,” said one of the women bus conductors, P Padma.
Hyderabad: Number of women conductors compared to women bus drivers is high. They feel the job can’t get any rough especially during night shifts. “I came only because I have one child, my husband died, I have not much of a choice,” said one of the women bus conductors, P Padma.
Padma’s duty hours end at 9 pm, but everyday because of traffic jams and as she has to account for the ticket money in the depot office, she is not able to leave before midnight. “One day I was leaving along with my friend at midnight the driver of the bus that I waved to stop to get in to reach home, abused us,” she added.
There are many instances that happen daily for women conductors which come under sexual harassment and harassment at job. There are no separate toilets for women conductors at Hyderabad bus station. The one which was especially built for women is only for lady officials and not to be used by conductors.
They have to use a dilapidated one opposite to male toilets which is dirty and not maintained according to rules said a colleague of Padma.“In order to get the job for his girlfriend in the route which he is driving, the driver harassed me with the intention of necking me out of duty, when he could not succeed; he made a mistake and had put the blame on me.
As a result of this the passengers complained against me. Our Depot Manager who would listen only to the passengers believed them and suspended me,” said Padma. Manjula, another bus conductor told to The Hans India that, second shift gets extended and by the time she reaches home it is past midnight. There is a good security near the depot but not outside.
While going home, through public transport we face problems. There is no need to specially mention about the issues from passengers. There are sexual harassment issues for women in all offices, professions, but we face issues from the public while working for the public. There are many cases where women bus conductors are mistreated. Like in all professions, women have to be prepared to face problems when they come out to work.
There are nearly 3,500 RTC buses in Hyderabad. But they are not sufficient given the number of passengers. There are requests from commuters to increase and extend the night services to longer hours. With that the need for more staff will become a necessity, no matter men or women. “When any lady conductor complains against a colleague, action will be taken. But safety becomes their own responsibility,” says Padma.
By:Haarika Rachavelpula
