Bike taxi plan: Transport officials worry about safety of women

“The issue was raised that how would the company ensure that women passengers are safe with the male drivers. So the only solution was to have some percentage of women drivers for women passengers only,” said an officer of the State Transport Authority.

The transport department has raised concern over the safety of women passengers in bike taxis while formulating a plan for having “Baxis” in Chandigarh. In a meeting, the members proposed to make it mandatory to have some percentage of the normal strength of drivers as women.

“The issue was raised that how would the company ensure that women passengers are safe with the male drivers. So the only solution was to have some percentage of women drivers for women passengers only,” said an officer of the State Transport Authority.

There would be another meeting next month in which all these issues would be included in the mandatory requirements for any company that comes forward to start bike taxis. Another issue flagged by the officials was that of health. It was raised that the same helmet would be worn by every passenger and this could develop infection in the passengers.

“It has been decided that the company can get in shower caps for passenger who can wear them below the helmet. This would help in avoiding infection that could pass on using the same helmet,” the official added.