Driver U. Manikavalli and conductor M. Eshwari, who are part of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s first ‘pink crew’.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
On the heels of the Pink Bus Scheme, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has launched a ‘pink crew’, where operations on a route will be handled by an all-woman crew. Under the Pink Bus Scheme, women are allowed to travel for free on ordinary buses.
The MTC launched the ‘pink crew’ service on two routes from the Vyasarpadi depot, from where electric buses are operated. A senior MTC official said the all-woman crew would handle route no. 57CT (Vyasarpadi Depot to Vallalar Nagar and Mint Terminus) and route no. 57 (Vallalar Nagar to Mint Terminus and Red Hills Bus Terminus). The first all-woman bus crew has U. Manikavalli at the wheel and M. Eshwari as the conductor.
The official said the idea to have all-woman crews was mooted by MTC Managing Director T. Prabhushankar as part of promoting the participation and leadership of women in public transport. He said that at present, the all-woman crew had been launched for electric bus services operated by OHM Global Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland under a gross cost contract. In this model, the driver is posted by the private contractor, while the conductor is deputed by the MTC.
The MTC official added that in the future, there were plans to expand the all-woman crew to more routes; and four women drivers, who were undergoing training, would soon join the rolls. The MTC has a total of 75 women conductors, the official added.
M. Ashok, a resident of Pattalam near Mint, said the all-woman crew was a welcome move as women conductors were respectful towards commuters and women drivers had better adherence to traffic rules.
Published – December 15, 2025 06:59 pm IST
