‘We were forced to sit on the bus floor’

Sir,

Following a professional event in Bengaluru, my colleague and I boarded a KSRTC non-stop bus (KA-09-F-5514) to Mysuru from Bengaluru’s Satellite Bus Stand at around 10 pm.

As women professionals who frequently travel between cities, we trusted the State-run transport system. Due to a personal emergency, I needed to return home, and we requested the driver to let us de-board before the bus departed.

Despite repeated requests, he refused and shut the automatic door, citing fear of losing his job. The conductor from another bus, also a woman, supported his decision and asked him to continue.

The driver insisted that we could only be allowed to leave if two other women boarded in our place — an unreasonable and arbitrary condition. Despite fellow passengers asking him to reconsider, he refused.

During this time, my colleague’s phone was switched off, and my phone had only 3 percent battery left. We felt helpless and isolated.

Our seats were taken by new passengers, and we both were forced to sit on the floor due to exhaustion until 2.30 am. Though it was a non-stop service, the bus later stopped at Mandya and near Mysuru for breaks — highlighting a clear inconsistency in its so-called policy.

This experience was not only distressing but also a violation of our autonomy and safety. While the Government’s free bus travel initiative for women under the ‘Shakti’ scheme is commendable, it must be accompanied by accountability, proper training, and effective emergency support.

No woman should be forced to stay in a public vehicle against her will. It is time we ensured that our public transport systems are not just accessible, but also safe and respectful.

– Apoorva Prakash, Mysuru, 30.7.2025

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