Improvement in the overall transit experience for women passengers - Superb role by QRT at various metro stations in Chennai!!
Posted on: 25/Oct/2023 9:31:10 AM
Many women use metro trains in Chennai to reach their destinations as they find metro trains very comfortable. It must be noted that while travelling in the metro trains safety of a woman is very important. In this regard, the CMRL or Chennai Metro Rail Limited has taken into consideration various suggestions given by women passengers.
The point is that CMRL has decided to deploy QRT or Quick Response Teams at various metro stations in the city from February onwards. Last month, an extensive woman safety survey was conducted with about 12000 respondents.
Role of QRTs:
It is worthy to note here that the QRTs would travel with the women passengers in the metro trains especially in the female coaches for safety sake. They would provide a quick response for any untoward incidents etc. This was mentioned by an officer from CMRL. He hinted that employing QRTs was a part of the measures that were initiated by CMRL based on the survey.
It is learnt that the survey looked at several parameters to improve the overall transit experience for the woman travellers. The 4 month long survey beginning from the June month onwards was a part of the ridership improvement programme.
Various parameters considered in the survey:
Point is that the survey was based on the frequency of ridership, safety while travelling, incidents of harassment, easy navigation of women only compartments, installation of CCTV cameras, availability of feeding rooms in the metro stations, safety during early mornings and late nights etc.
The travel in the metro trains was safe and this was according to 95% of respondents. The respondents also gave suggestions for improvement. Now, CMRL is addressing these suggestions.
The shocking piece of information revealed by some female passengers was that in ladies only compartments during peak hours and late nights some male passengers also travelled. It is now said that to prevent this from happening manual announcements are being made now and the women passengers have been asked to use the CMRL helpline 1860-425-1515 for assistance.
The officials belonging to CMRL explained that when the female passengers face any issue then they can use the Passenger safety intercom present near the train door to immediately report the issue to the concerned authorities. By pressing the green button in the intercom, the train operator would be alerted. It is brought out that the camera inside the train would span near the intercom to identify the caller.
