SHE shuttles, an exclusive bus service for women employees of IT firms in Madhapur and Gachibowli, hit the roads on Monday. The service, launched by the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) in association with the Cyberabad Police and the Telangana government, will be free for women employees in the IT corridor.
Telangana ministers KT Rama Rao and P Mahender Reddy flagged off two SHE shuttle buses from Raheja Mindspace on Monday morning. The two buses were procured with Rs 40 lakh funds released by the TSIIC and will be operated with the funds sponsored by DLF IT Park and Ascendas IT Park.
Apart from launching the shuttle service, the SCSC launched SHE Shuttle app that users can download on to their smartphones. After registration, users can see the exact location of the bus, the service route with details of stoppages and departure time. The app also features a panic button, which users can press in case of emergency, alerting police and two of their friends or family members.
“Each bus will have a woman security guard. The movement of the bus will be monitored round-the-clock from the central control room at Cyberabad police commissionerate,” Cyberabad com missioner CV Anand said.
The shuttles would operate in one direction from Madhapur police station, MMTS station to Inorbit mall and Q City from 8 am to 3 pm. From 4 pm to 11 pm, they would operate in the reverse direction.”We have decided on the two routes after a basic study. Several women employees stay in hostels and flats located in colonies on the Cyber Towers Madhapur Police station and Shilparamam-IIIT junction (Gachibowli) stretches. The connectivity to MMTS station will provide a safe transport option during the night,” the SCSC secretary said.
Transport minister P Mahender Reddy, who was the chief guest at the event, said that safety and security of women was a matter of high priority for the Telangana government.
IT & panchayat raj minister KT Rama Rao, who was the guest of honour, said that the two non-AC buses have been launched on a pilot basis and four air-conditioned vehicles would be sanctioned for the project soon.