A pregnant woman's attempt to board a bus in Angilankurichi led to a heated argument with the driver who failed to stop, raising concerns about public transportation responsiveness.
Coimbatore: A pregnant woman's attempt to catch a bus in Angilankurichi, Coimbatore district, turned into a public dispute when the driver failed to stop, sparking a debate about the responsiveness of public transportation services.
Kanimozhi, a resident of Angilankurichi in her final trimester of pregnancy, was waiting at the local bus stop on September 24th, intending to visit the Primary Health Center in Aliyar. As a state bus (route 10.B) approached, she signaled for it to stop, but the driver continued without halting.
Frustrated by the incident, local residents took matters into their own hands when the same bus returned from Aliyar. They intercepted the vehicle and confronted the driver, leading to a heated argument about his failure to stop for a visibly pregnant passenger.
One of the women present at the scene commented on the incident, saying, "We waved to stop the bus, but the driver just ignored us and drove on. Perhaps they're behaving this way because of the free bus travel scheme for women." This statement hints at potential underlying tensions related to the government's policy of free bus travel for women.
The incident has raised questions about the quality of public transportation services and the need for greater sensitivity towards passengers, especially those with special needs like pregnant women. It also highlights the importance of clear communication between drivers and passengers to ensure safe and accessible public transportation for all.