The ‘Blue Bus Project’, is one of the 100 provisions the Nepal government promised after the sweeping victory of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). It involves government run free public bus service aimed at only facilitating women and children for their daily commute with increased security features. Arvin Ghimire from ApEx spoke with people to understand this matter regarding its importance, gender segregation and more.

Snidgha Pakhrin, 18, Student

The blue bus service is a great initiative. Protecting both women and children in buses where they often face harassment, groping and leering is just what’s currently needed. Whereas as for its criticisms, I fail to see any proper ones. I can understand the arguments for including elderly males in the service, however as they do not require as much protection as women and children, especially in public places, their exclusion makes sense. That said, I am still skeptical of the government’s reason to name the service blue bus, doesn't it stereotypically represent men?

Abhinna Shrestha, 17, Student

Any program aimed at protecting women and children has my full support. That said, I fail to see the economic viability of this project. As per my understanding 99 percent of public transportation is currently being run by the Private Sector. Introduction of free service in such industries are certain to hinder the free market, and create unwanted negative consequences, such as reduction of overall transportation or some level of retaliation by bus owners, which is bound to disrupt daily life for a lot of people.

Mira Poudyal, 71, Housewife

The provision of free transportation creates a bittersweet effect. While the customers will be satisfied with the stipulation, the state is forced to bear all the costs. Instead of making the service free for all females,it would be better off charging lower costs, while providing grants to the elderly and children. This way women will be encouraged to create their own source of income. Plus, exclusion of elderly males and the disabled is also a mistake as they also deserve such facilities.

Mohan Bahadur Basnet, 60, Businessperson

This program seems viable only in concept . I do not see any probability for the government to successfully run transportation services, it's just too complicated. Let's look at it practically na, who's going to pay for the cost of acquiring and repairing the buses.  You know these kinds of operations require a command center to operate right? Who is willing to do that in the long run? I just have one thing to say, “The project is just not suitable”.

Mala Kumari Sahani, 23, Student

The current public transportation services are really uncomfortable. I often come across crowded situations where men and women end up pressed against each other while staying in the bus to create more space, which doesn't help further when conductors instruct you to do so. I also have to worry about temperature, where in summer I face excruciating heat fueled by the crowd, and in the winter where no matter the amount of clothes I wear, the cold finds its way to sweep in. I have a lot of hope for the Blue Bus service, to fix those issues and view it as a positive step forward.

Surendra Kumar Subedi, 55, Retiree

I disagree with the practicality of this service. Instead of dividing women and children into a completely different vehicle, the government would be better off increasing the number of quotas designated for them in the existing transportation sector. Which  is a way to both increase comfort for them, while the government can be relieved from the task of operating a transportation service.

Vishnu Dev Yadav, 25, Student

While I'm not really informed about the topic, I find initiatives to protect women and children really good. As the Blue Bus program is free for women, it is even better.  That said, I also believe in equality between males and females, just because a small percentage of men are responsible for committing crimes against women, does not justify their exclusion from the service. Men should also receive services that women receive from the government.

Samjhana Pal, 18, Private sector employee

It is a great initiative, as it makes women and children feel protected in a typically unsafe environment. And for the arguments of including elderly men in the service, I would actually feel concerned for them, as they can also feel uncomfortable being only surrounded by women in a ride predominantly made for women.

Roshani Poudyal, 48, Associate professor 

To begin with there is a lack of information available about the service, despite its operations starting very soon. As a woman I expect some basic services such as trained operators, sanitary environment, and overall a safe form of driving, unlike the current public transportation scenario.

Kul Raj Subedi, 65, Retired bureaucrat

Considering  the difficulty faced by women and children,  the program seems to be a positive way forward. Although women being the major victims of crimes such as leering, other crimes such as pickpocketing, should also be controlled, ensuring everyone’s right to obtain a comfortable and safe transportation environment.