The Telangana government’s Mahalaksmi scheme has empowered women but has caused inconvenience for male passengers. Men are frustrated and agitated as they are forced to stand during their commute while women get preferential treatment. This has led to many men choosing alternative modes of transportation like trains or private buses. They feel that the current system is unfair and are seeking more equitable options.
One software engineer named Balram regularly commutes to work on TSRTC buses and has complained multiple times about the lack of designated seating for men. However, officials have not taken any action to address this issue, which has only added to the frustration of commuters.
Conductors also face challenges in allocating seats properly due to time constraints. Their priority is to issue tickets before the next stop, making it difficult to monitor seat allocations, especially for senior citizens or those with disabilities. Additionally, higher officials have not given clear instructions on implementing designated seating for men.
Another passenger named Rahul travels from Kompally to Jubilee Hills every day by bus. He has started using his personal vehicle due to the inconvenience caused by the lack of proper arrangements in buses. Many affected commuters see this as a major setback and are disappointed with the government’s decision to provide free bus travel exclusively for women. They feel that the policy change has not made enough provisions to ensure a comfortable travel experience for all passengers.
Overall, the disparity in treatment between male and female passengers has led to frustration and disappointment among male commuters, who are now seeking better commuting options.
