A new bus service exclusively for women, has been launched in Indore today. As per reports, these women-only buses will be now operated by a complete female staff, including women drivers and conductors. The Atal Indore City Transport Service Limited (AICTSL) had earlier deployed two female drivers, to conduct trial runs. These women drivers, Archana Katare and Ritu Narwale, will now be operating the new pink buses in the city.

The women drivers are well trained by Jayant Pal

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After being taught and tested by Jayant Pal, Ritu Narwale - one of the lady drivers was given a green signal to commence her journey as the first female bus driver of Indore, after her successful test drive. Ritu's test drive was scheduled between 3 AM to 5 AM on September 2, in which she was supposed to carry 50 females between the Rajeev Gandhi Square and Niranjanpur Square in Indore.

The second woman to be shortlisted as a 'Pink Bus' driver was Archana Katare. She has over 3 years of experience as a chauffeur in the hotel industry and has been driving for quite some time now. Katare has successfully completed her final training to become a qualified bus driver in Indore.

Pink BRTS is a women-centric initiative

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As emphasised by the AICTSL in-charge Sandeep Soni, this is a female-centric initiative and only women can travel in these buses. "Women conductors were already present and now we have appointed women drivers as well," the official added.

"The route of BRTS is different. The bus has to be driven inside the railing, stopped at the bus stop, so special training has been given to drive them. Dealing with minor mechanical problems has also been taught during the training," he detailed.

-With inputs from ANI