TSRTC launches men-exclusive bus service along Ibrahimpatnam-LB Nagar route

Hyderabad: The Telangana Road and Transport Services (TSRTC) launched a men-exclusive bus service i.e. catering to only male passengers, on the Ibrahimpatnam-LB Nagar route starting from February 1.

Speaking to NewsMeter a TSRTC official said “Presently, the men-only service operates on a pilot basis with a single bus on the specified route. Depending on the trial’s success, TSRTC may consider expanding this unique service to additional routes in the future.”

Move aimed to help college students

“The TSRTC men-only bus service is positioned as a pioneering initiative on a global scale. As a first-of-its-kind service catering exclusively to men, the pilot project on the Ibrahimpatnam-LB Nagar route may pave the way for similar initiatives if deemed successful,” said the official.

The TSRTC officials cited the need to cater specifically to engineering college students as the motivation behind this unique service.

The official said, “The single bus, operational from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, aims to streamline transportation during peak hours for the youngsters attending colleges along the designated route.”

Impact on women’s commute

This move comes in response to the notable increase in women utilising TSRTC buses after the implementation of the Mahalakshmi scheme by the Congress government. By offering free bus rides to women, girls, and transgender individuals, the TSRTC has recorded a remarkable surge in women’s ridership.

According to a survey conducted by the Helping Hand Foundation, nearly 31 per cent more women are now using TSRTC buses for daily commuting since the initiation of the Mahalakshmi scheme. The percentage of women utilising the buses surged from 52 to 81 per cent within a month of the scheme’s launch.

“The introduction of the TSRTC men-only bus service is a response to evolving commuter dynamics, focusing on meeting the specific needs of engineering college students and managing the increased demand for our TSRTC services,” the official said.