Women feel unsafe in DTC bus: A recent report reveals a stark reality for women in Delhi, with 77% expressing concerns about their safety when traveling on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses after 5 PM. The report, Riding the Justice Route, conducted by Greenpeace India, highlights the challenges women face on public buses, even for those earning up to ₹1 lakh monthly, with around 57% of these working women still opting to use DTC buses.Significant savings through Delhis Pink ticket schemeThe report also highlights the financial impact of the Delhi governments Pink Ticket scheme, with 75% of women acknowledging substantial savings due to the free bus ride initiative. This scheme appears to be a factor encouraging more women to consider public transportation around 25% of surveyed women reported increased bus usage following the schemes introduction.Public transport usage patterns among womenGreenpeaces survey, which gathered insights from 510 women via field surveys and social media, found that 45% of Delhis women do not use buses at all, while 35% reported commuting by bus either daily or between three to five times a week.Safety concerns heighten after duskWomens hesitancy to travel in the evening is largely attributed to safety concerns, with issues worsening after dark. The survey found that 87% of women have to wait over 10 minutes for a bus after dusk, while 13% face wait times of up to 30 minutes, making evening commutes even more daunting. Women cite the combination of reduced bus availability and poorly lit stops as reasons for avoiding travel after 5 PM.Higher-income women also rely on DTC busesInterestingly, 58% of women earning up to ₹1 lakh monthly still choose DTC buses, suggesting that even women in higher income brackets find value in public transport, albeit with heightened concerns regarding safety and convenience.
