Free bus ride for women: EThames Business School students call for gender sensitivity training for RTC staff

Hyderabad: A group of young researchers from EThames Business School has turned its attention to a less-discussed aspect of public transport -- the commuter experience. This comes at a time when Telangana’s free bus travel scheme for women sees increasing uptake.

Their message is clear: public transport is a shared space, and it must be treated with mutual respect. The students believe that when a free ride sparks a fight, what commuters truly need is respect.

Behind Viral Videos, Real Issues

Recent viral clips of women arguing over bus seats are not just isolated incidents, the students note, they reflect deeper issues within the system. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) runs over 9,000 buses daily, carrying more than 40 lakh commuters. Since the introduction of the free bus scheme, a growing number of women have started using this service for education, work, healthcare, and daily travel.

With this rise in ridership, however, comes increased strain on resources. The student-led study, conducted over 43 days across various Hyderabad bus routes, surveyed 480 women and conducted more than 20 interviews. More than half of those surveyed, 52%, reported experiencing discomfort during travel. Yet, only 23% were aware of or had used safety tools like helplines or mobile applications.

Key Concerns Identified

The primary concerns highlighted by commuters were overcrowding, undertrained staff, and a lack of visibility of complaint mechanisms. Rather than assigning blame, the students have chosen to focus on solutions aimed at improving the experience for all.

Recommendations for a Safer Commute

Among their proposed measures are gender sensitivity training for RTC staff, QR-code-based complaint systems in buses and terminals, better lighting and sanitation at key bus stops, and women-only buses during peak hours. They also recommend bystander training to help empower fellow commuters to respond effectively and collaborative policing by both plainclothes and uniformed officers.

In addition to operational changes, the students suggest public-facing campaigns to raise awareness and change behaviours. Some of these include #MySafeSeat, which will feature real stories from women commuters; Ride With Respect, which will display visual messages across buses and terminals; SHE Can Travel, which will highlight how safety upgrades have changed lives; and a Bus Buddy Program, where student or senior volunteers ride buses during peak hours. They also recommend distributing Know Your Rights cards in every bus, listing helpline numbers and safety resources.

The study was led by Divya Bengani, Mishika Chirag Kotecha, Drishti Jain, Syed Osman Ali, and Sayam Jain, under the guidance of assistant professors Dr. Sahera Fatima and Dr. Naga Lakshmi Kundeti. Speaking about the findings, the student researchers said that respect is the ticket every commuter should carry. They added that no one is safe unless everyone is safe.

RTC and Police Officials Respond

V.C. Sajjanar, IPS, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of TGSRTC, welcomed the findings. He said TGSRTC is fully committed to strengthening women’s safety and dignity. He added that the corporation appreciates the EThames study, and many of its suggestions are already being addressed, from increasing bus frequency to staff training, safety helplines, CCTV surveillance, bus tracking apps, and partnerships with SHE Teams. Continuous improvement, he said, remains the organisation’s top priority.

Shikha Goel, IPS, Director General of the Women Safety Wing (SHE Teams & Bharosa), echoed this sentiment. She said every woman deserves to travel freely and fearlessly, and that the study offers a roadmap to help achieve that goal. According to her, it reinforces their mission to make public spaces safer and more inclusive.

Global Models and Indian Initiatives

The researchers pointed to global examples of best practices. In France, women can request on-demand night stops closer to their homes. Brazil has real-time reporting apps that link directly to transit police. Japan and Colombia offer women-only compartments or buses during peak hours, while Sweden uses gender-segregated data to plan safer routes and better-lit stops. Singapore uses AI-based surveillance backed by strict law enforcement to enhance commuter safety.

In India, various cities have introduced their measures, Pink Buses in Delhi, women-only seats in Bengaluru, and women’s compartments in Mumbai. In Telangana, SHE Teams and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) offer free rides in IT corridors. These initiatives, while commendable, the students noted, remain isolated and are yet to become part of a consistent national framework.

A Shared Responsibility

Public transport, the researchers argue, is more than just mobility. It is a lifeline, and it is a shared space. If everyone contributes, both in attitude and action, buses can become not just affordable but also respectful, inclusive spaces for all.