The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has unveiled a new policy designed to significantly improve travel comfort for disabled passengers. This development, outlined in a recent circular from the Traffic Department, mandates reserved seating for individuals with disabilities across all MSRTC bus services, including regular, ordinary, and premium categories such as Shivneri services.
Under the newly introduced policy, each MSRTC bus will feature designated seats reserved specifically for disabled passengers. This includes all types of bus services, ensuring that accessibility is uniformly prioritised irrespective of the service category. The policy’s implementation reflects a strong commitment to enhancing travel convenience and ensuring equitable access to public transport for individuals with disabilities. Bus conductors are entrusted with the crucial responsibility of ensuring that these reserved seats remain available for disabled passengers. Even if a reserved seat is occupied by a regular passenger when a disabled individual boards, the conductor is mandated to immediately reallocate the seat and provide the necessary assistance to the passenger in need.
This approach ensures that disabled passengers are given priority and their comfort is duly considered throughout their journey. The policy stipulates that both conductors and drivers are to assist disabled passengers with boarding and alighting, and to provide necessary support, including informing them of their stop and helping them disembark safely. This comprehensive approach underscores MSRTC’s dedication to creating a more accessible and supportive travel environment for all passengers. The introduction of this policy is part of MSRTC’s broader initiative to enhance accessibility and inclusivity within its services. By addressing the needs of disabled passengers, MSRTC is setting a benchmark in public transport accessibility, which is expected to inspire similar measures across other transport services in the region.
