DTC hires women conductors

Next time when you travel in a DTC bus, do not be surprised if a young woman in crisp uniform asks you to buy a bus ticket.

Next time when you travel in a DTC bus, do not be surprised if a young woman in crisp uniform asks you to buy a bus ticket.

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The Delhi Transport Corporation roped in 130 women as bus conductors, who joined work recently. These women were hired on a contract, which would be renewed every 89 days.

“We had shortage of conductors and had issued advertisement for the vacancies. A number of people applied, many of which were women. We interviewed them and they were hired two months ago,” said a senior DTC official.

Senior DTC officers claimed that compared to male conductors’ women conductors were more sincere and performed better, too. “They don’t get into unnecessary arguments with the passengers. Women passengers have also welcomed the move,” the official said.

Most of the women conductors are between 25 and 35 years old on their first job.

“I got to know about the job through Employment News and I applied. I was a housewife, but with this job I am able to do household work, too, as the shift ends at 3.30pm,” said Namita Rapra, one of the recently hired women bus conductors.

To encourage more women to apply for such jobs, the DTC put them on an eight-hour morning shift, which starts at 7.30am. “The first reaction of anyone entering the bus was surprise. Women passengers told us they felt quite safe due to our presence. My family was also quite supportive, because of flexible timings. For five years I stayed at home, but when I decided to earn I found this job,” said Sushma Chahar, another bus conductor.

As the qualification required for the job was Class 10, several women applied for it. “I used to take tuitions at home, as I couldn’t work full-time. When I saw the vacancy, I applied for it and got the job. I think more women should come forward and make use of this opportunity. A number of my family members and relatives had not even heard of women conductors,” said Anita, another bus conductor.