Wed Dec 04 15:07:02 UTC 2024: ## Differently-abled Riders Demand KSRTC Bus Accessibility Improvements

**Thiruvananthapuram, December 4, 2024** – Differently-abled individuals in Kerala are calling for increased accessibility and sensitivity training for Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) drivers and conductors. At a recent meeting, speakers highlighted issues including sexual harassment faced by visually impaired women on buses and the frequent failure of buses to stop for or accommodate disabled passengers.

Vijayakumari, State president of the Kerala Federation of the Blind’s women’s wing, reported that visually impaired women experience sexual harassment and are forced to repeatedly change seats due to limited reserved seating on KSRTC buses. Elowyn M. Alwyn of the Malankara Social Service Society added that requests for disabled-friendly features in new Thiruvananthapuram city buses have been submitted to the Transport Department. They also advocated for audio signals at busy intersections to aid visually impaired pedestrians.

Speakers also noted that buses often fail to stop for disabled passengers, or depart before they can board or alight. In response, it was decided that the Sakhi organization will conduct training programs to educate KSRTC drivers and conductors on the rights and needs of disabled passengers.

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