Wait for pink auto service gets longer

Guidelines for the service yet to be framed, so these vehicles running like any other public transport

PINK AUTO CONCEPT IS PRACTISED IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES WHERE WOMEN PASSENGERS HAVE ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT, ESPECIALLY DURING MORNING AND NIGHT HOURS. WE PLANNED THE SAME IN THE CITY

Pankaj Dixit, president, Lucknow Auto Rickshaw and Three-Wheeler Sangh YOU HAVE PINK TAXIES IN DUBAI WITH FEMALE DRIVERS. I THINK PINK THREEWHEELER SERVICE WILL PICK UP FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY OF ITS LAUNCH

RASHMI, a resident of Gomti Nagar.

The launch of the pink auto service meant exclusively for women passengers will take some more time.

Around 70-odd pink threewheelers would join the fleet of vehicles that would cater to female passengers and their families, but the guidelines for the service are yet to be framed. “In the absence of guidelines, these three-wheelers meant for female passengers, are running as other public transport vehicles,” said Pankaj Dixit, president, Lucknow Auto Rickshaw and Three-Wheeler Sangh, the organisation that floated the idea of pink autos for women passengers.

“Pink auto is a concept practiced in several countries where women get exclusive vehicles for safety, especially during morning and night hours. We planned the same in the state capital,” he said.

The concept was floated in December 2014. In a meeting of transport officials in February 2015, it was decided that the modalities would be finalised by April and the pink auto serv- iced would be rolled by May-end. Officials also decided to launch the service with 50 pink three- wheelers.

About 70 existing three-wheeler owners painted their vehicles in pink and awaited the formal launch of the service, but nothing has come up till now.

The service includes police verification of the drivers who will operate pink autos. It would also have a GPRS system so that movement of such vehicles can be tracked.

As per the statistics, about two lakh passengers in the state capital choose three-wheelers to commute.

Of these, over 50,000 are female passengers. Hence, there will be no shortage of women passengers when the service is launched.

“It has also been agreed that pink three-wheelers will get free parking at strategic locations such as railway station, malls in the city and other such places so that women do not find it difficult to find public transport,” said Pankaj.

Women passengers are upbeat about the Pink auto service, which is a worldwide concept of safe travel for women.

“You have pink taxies in Dubai with female drivers. I think Pink three-wheeler service will pick up from the very first day of its,” said Rashmi, a resident of Gomti Nagar.