Even as Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is getting ready to take delivery of 100 e-autos christened ‘Commuto’ to operate feeder services from metro stations, just a handful of women have volunteered to drive 32 autos from among them.
“Few women have turned up, although we sought the help of NGOs, cooperative societies, and women self-help group [SHG] Kudumbashree for the purpose. We can in fact hand over more than 32 e-autos to women drivers, since they would have more acceptability among women commuters,” metro sources said.
“Our aim was to train and hand over the e-autos that would be procured using KMRL’s funds to drivers, including women. They would have to pay a nominal rent to KMRL, while being assured of a source of daily income. There was tardy response from women drivers, although details were posted on the KMRL website and social-media pages,” they added.
