In an attempt to ensure women’s safety and inclusive employment, the Odisha Government has decided to induct women drivers in the government’s flagship AMA Bus Service.
The State-run Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) rolled out its new buses under the brand name of Ama Bus on November 6, 2018, to provide reliable and safe transportation connecting neighbourhoods.
State’s Housing and Urban Development Minister Krishna Chandra Mohapatra, chairing a high-level review meeting on the performance and operations of the Bus Service, informed that 20 women candidates from CRUT will be sent to Pune on January 31 for specialised e-bus driving training.
Emphasising passenger safety, Mahapatra noted that alcohol consumption remains one of the major causes of road accidents.
Alcohol testing has been made mandatory for all AMA bus drivers, he said, stating that over the last one year, 1.97 lakh alcohol tests have been conducted through checks at the beginning and end of trips as well as random inspections during operational hours.
Out of these tests, 19 drivers were found to be positive for alcohol consumption. In accordance with legal provisions, the drivers were arrested by the police, and their driving licences were suspended for three months. The cancelled licences were forwarded to the respective Regional Transport Officers, he informed.
Dr Mohapatra further stated that CRUT, as a pioneering government-run public transport organisation in the country, has extended immediate compassionate assistance to the families of accident victims and has provided insurance coverage exceeding Rs 4 crore to the families of those who lost their lives in road accidents.
Further stating that a dedicated driver training institute will soon be established at the CRUT depot premises, he said that the institute will focus on practical driving skills, behavioural training, traffic regulations, lane discipline, and road safety.
The Minister further directed officials to expedite the ongoing expansion of AMA Bus Services in Baripada, Keonjhar, and Angul to strengthen public transport connectivity in these regions.