Best security in place; says Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation

Bengaluru: The BMTC has all security measures in place. After this alleged attempt of rape, a reminders has been issued to the staff members to follow the measures strictly, said Mr G. Ramesh, BMTC director (Security and Vigilance).

“For example, night route buses should have both the driver and conductor. We had issued the order long time back, and we have sent a reminder now.

“Breath analysers to test whether the staff members are drunk are kept at all our depots. All crew members are subjected to the test before they are allowed to board the bus,” he said.

Transport corporation Managing Director Anjum Parvez said that the BMTC helpline system will be set right after complaints that the helpline shuts when it is needed the most, in the night and holidays. The BMTC had launched a short code helpline number 155220 in November 2013, along with the other helpline 1800-425-1663, to help people remember the number.

It was done as per the directions of the Union Ministry of Urban Development on setting up a national transport helpline number. But the short code service was withdrawn by the department of telecommunication in February.

Ms Amala Dasarathi of the Bangalore Bus Prayanikara Vedike (a commuters’ forum) last year submitted a petition to then BMTC Chief Traffic Manager (CTM) K.S. Vishwanath, listing out the problems women passengers faced in BMTC buses.

Her petition stated that according to a survey conducted in 2012-13 of 2,647 women in Bengaluru, 1,803 cases of harassment were reported that is a whopping 69% of the women being sexually harassed in buses. She had stated that the women had to face vulgar language, unwanted stare, physical attacks, like touching, feeling; grabbing; indecently exposing; stalking; photographing or shooting videos without consent.